Yahoo Finance How much money does Santa make?
Santa is everywhere this time of year, but could you make some extra cash by dressing as the fat, jolly man?
In case you haven’t noticed, Christmas is coming. That means Christmas songs in every shop, lights in every town centre, and the chance to meet Santa at every department store, garden centre and theme park.
But who are these Santas and how much money can they make?
“Santa’s favourite elf”
Edward Higginson runs Santa For Hire and is clearly passionate about renting out only the very best Father Christmasses, describing himself as “Santa’s favourite elf”.
His agency has supplied Santa (as there is only one Santa, Higginson refuses to pluralise it, referring to “our 170 Santa”) to ITV, BBC and a host of other networks, as well as to many big name companies across the UK.
We asked him about what he looks for when he hires a new Father Christmas…
Santa’s job description (hint – a beard is a must)
Higginson’s demands are pretty steep, Santa must have: “A great sense of humour, a love of Christmas and endless professionalism – the show must go on at all costs. Most importantly he has to be willing to work hard and adore the Christmas spirit - it’s a select breed.”
Does he need his own beard? “I prefer real beard, although it’s optional for Mrs Claus. We have one of the top wig makers in the country making bespoke beards; however, Santa is more real with a real beard.
“A real bearded Santa is at a premium, the majority of ours have a real beard. Prosthetic ones can be very good and can even be tugged, but a real beard is a good demonstration to child that it’s the real deal.”
Oh, a would-be Santa must also be excellent with reindeer, he adds.
What about women?
This might sound like a fun gig, but can women or beardless men get in on the action? Higginson says yes, he is always looking for aspiring elves and motherly Mrs Clauses.
So what does he look for in Mrs Claus? “Ideally she should be the actual wife of the Santa,” he explains. “Mrs Claus is the most important person, she’s got to look out for Santa and put the children at ease. I really like it if they are related to the Santa. Then they know him better than anyone else and can see if he is flagging.”
How much money does Santa make?
The Santa business – at the top end anyway – is a competitive one.
“It’s not at all impossible for a top Santa to earn thousands of pounds over December,” Higginson adds, refusing to be drawn on the rates per gig.
One small town Santa tells us he charges £45 for a Christmas Eve visit lasting around 20 minutes, and that he can fit at least six. Of course, parents may be put off if he can’t prove he has an enhanced DBS check.
Has the downturn hurt Santa?
Are people turning more to dads in unrealistic wigs rather than high-end actors?
Higginson says not – for him, business has increased each year and this is the agency’s 12th Christmas. “Companies are trying their best to get customers to come to their shops; they are competing with the internet. Having a real Santa is fabulous; children love it, parents love it and there’s far greater footfall so the companies love it. It’s a very rewarding situation.”
Have we left it too late?
Santa’s favourite elf regretfully explains that we should have run this story in October, when there was time to process new Santa applications. He personally oversees the training of each Santa he employs, and as they also need an enhanced DBS check, it’s a bit too late for most would-be Chris Crimbos.
However, if you already have a DBS check (and ideally your own beard) and you don’t mind working hard to get up to speed fast, Higginson invites you to get in touch. “The most important thing is that they love, love, love Christmas,” he says simply.
Would you make a good Santa? Have you seen the big man yet this year? Have your say using the comments below.
