There may not be a Santa Claus to visit this Christmas season - this is why

A shortage could affect your ability to obtain a photo with Jolly Old Saint Nick.


For many of us, going to see Santa Claus was a highlight of the Christmas season Like a kid. You have to sit on his lap and tell him the best articles on your list - and the Christmas morning, you discovered if Old Saint Nick has kept his promises. The tradition has continued, and maybe you took your own children and grandchildren to take their pictures on the lap of the big guy. This year, however, experts have warned that Santa Claus may not be traveling at the start of the North Pole. Read more to find out why he could have no Santa Claus to visit this Christmas season.

Read this then: How T.J. Maxx, Kohl and Costco change vacation hours .

The traditions around Jolly Old Saint Nicholas go back hundreds of years.

santa claus macy's thanksgiving day parade
Radin / Shutterstock

Santa's legend dates back to The 3rd century , according to History.com, when Saint Nicolas was the patron saint of children. After his death, Saint Nick remained popular, and we must thank the Dutch for having introduced "Santa Claus" (derived from the Dutch nickname "Sinter Klaas") to American popular culture in the 18th century. The reputation of Saint Nick has only growed - with Washington Irving Name him the patron saint of New York in 1809 - and Santa Claus quickly became synonymous with the new tradition of gifts at Christmas.

How we managed to imagine the joyful appearance of Santa Claus Clement Clarke Moore 1822 Poem "A visit to Saint-Nicolas", commonly called "" Twas at night before Christmas ", by Histoire.com. As for the Santa Claus shopping center that we know and love, it started as a life -size model in a Philadelphia store in 1841, with stores later teasing the appearance of a visit to a Santa Claus " ".

Santa Claus has also been a must of the Thanksgiving Day parade from Macy since his inaugural year in 1924. To date, children always visit department stores and retailers from Macy across the country to take their photos with the father Christmas. Unfortunately, this beloved tradition faces a major obstacle.

Santa Claus may not come in town.

santa visiting with little girl
Natali Kuzina / Shutterstock

Santa Claus is responsible for making his list and checking it twice, but he may have to find gifts without hearing children directly. According to an NPR newsletter Planet money Podcast, there is a high demand for the services of Santa Claus, and his elves find it difficult to adapt His busy schedule .

"Here in Hiry Santa, demand is higher than ever before", " Mitch Allen , Founder and "Head Elf" by Hiresanta.com, an endowment agency for holiday artists, told Planet money . In fact, demand is up 125% compared to early years.

"We are refusing more events this year than we have never refused it before," said Allen. "There is certainly a shortage of Santas."

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Covid concerns have thrown a key into Santa's plans.

christmas covid protocols
Tomsickova Tatyana / Shutterstock

Allen attributes the shortage of this elusive "return to normality" that many of us are claiming, especially during the holiday season. Companies have chosen not to have any people when Covid was at his peak in the past two years, and some professional santas - who are older and more likely to have health problems - have been realized when the Pandemic struck. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

This year, the traditions in person are back and the Santas earn a little more money to spread Christmas joy (thanks to the simple law of supply and demand). However, there are only so many arranged santas, capable and eligible to assume jobs.

Many employers are looking for "real santas," said Allen Planet money , and that familiar facial hair can take from six months to a year to grow. There are also a multitude of requirements and verification of history for professional santas.

Fortunately, Stephen has rnold , president of the international fraternity of the Santas with real beard (and a professional Santa Claus himself), assured Planet money The number of santas dates back slowly to the pre-pale levels, and a "shortage" could be a little exaggerated. The inability to reserve could simply depend when You are looking to visit Santa Claus.

"Today, I probably had 10 calls asking me to come on Saturday December 17," said Arnold Planet money , pointing to more desirable time slots. "No, I can't. I’m busy. I’ve been booking for weeks and weeks. But if you’re ready to have Santa Claus like Tuesday morning or Wednesday afternoon, it could still work."

The shortage does not prevent certain shopping centers from welcoming Santas.

waiting to see santa
Eddtoro / Shutterstock

Addressing Arnold's Point, shopping centers in certain parts of the country have not yet feel the pangs of a real shortage of Santa Claus, according to the Daily herald . The shopping centers of the suburbs of Chicago were fortunately able to maintain the regular appearances of Santa Claus.

"Hit on the wood, we had no problem," Lisa Aurand , the director of marketing and commercial development of the Yorktown Center of Lombard, Illinois, told the Daily herald , confirming that their Santa Claus was reserved by the shopping center Amuse Muse Matte.

"The Santa Claus calendar here is the same as in previous years", " Bonni pear , a public relations representative for Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois, also told The Outlet. "There are a lot of people, a lot of interest and no problem here at the shopping center." According to Pear, Santa Claus of the shopping center was reserved in Cherry Hill's programs, who sent Santa Claus to visit several shopping centers in the Chicago region.

Warwick Mall In the Rhode Island, he still has santas on the staff, Wjar affiliated to NBC reported, it could therefore be useful to contact your shopping center or local retailer to confirm if Saint Nick plans to make an appearance. For these planning events for next year, Allen suggests looking at things early, because Hire Santa is already making appointments for 2023.


Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: Christmas / holidays / News /
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