With December just around the corner the UK’s Santa Clauses are gearing up for a full month of grotto appearances, gift giving and other festive activities. To get ready, they have gathered in the Santa Academy, to learn from the best how to adopt the role of Father Christmas.
This year the Ministry of Fun taught their 26th annual Santa School, where actors and performers gather to pull some crackers and drink hot chocolate. Playing Santa Claus is not as easy as it seems, say some of the bearded men, who claim there is a strict art behind getting the “ho-ho-ho” completely right.
Santa School leader Matt Grist detailed the gathering as a way to deliver a “magical Father Christmas experience for a child in a grotto or a Christmas market.” Hundreds of Santas have been through the school, and many return each year to brush up on their mince pie eating habits.
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(Image: PA)
As for the activities, the men who attend are required to don their full Santa get-up. Many of them have their own, but all the attendees wear their red jacket, trousers and full white beard at all times.
While London is around 4295 miles away from the North Pole, these Santas gather at Battersea Power Station to learn the Christmas crafts. Carolling, and education on toys and even a course on British Sign Language are all offered on this intensive course.
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Around 20 Santas sit on tables in front of a whiteboard and are given instructions on how to sign key Christmas phrases in the hopes that all children can feel included during the celebrations. Later on, they showed off their “ho ho hos.”
Speaking to Sky, one Santa had a very strong opinion on how the iconic phrase should be pronounced. It’s all in the intention, he claimed.
(Image: © Jeff Moore)
“We’re not just saying the words ‘ho ho ho’,” he emphasised. “We’re actually making it into a chuckle.
“And a chuckle becomes a laugh and a laugh needs a good form.” He and his co-worker Santa imitated the phrase and even placed their hands on their round bellies to complete the impersonation.
Of course Santa is not limited to his chuckle, the men are also taught how to sit correctly on Santa’s chair and greet visitors. Luckily, elves are on hand during the day to assist their learning. They work together to ensure the North Pole magic is kept up at all times.
(Image: © Jeff Moore)
Beneath the glasses, the Santas are required to learn mannerisms. These include leaning back while joking jovially, and extending their arms in a jolly fashion.
The Santas in attendance go off in December and showcase their skills in grottos and Christmas areas around thee country.
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