While Christmas festivities bring a surge in demand for professional Santas, many individuals who embrace this role see it as a lifelong calling rather than just seasonal work. Emerging research reveals that some Santas carry the spirit of Santa year-round, transcending the typical holiday stereotype, and embodying qualities of generosity and kindness throughout the year.

Professor Christina Hymer of the University of Tennessee was inspired to explore this phenomenon during the COVID pandemic. Watching classic Christmas movies like Elf sparked her curiosity about the motivations behind choosing to become Santa and how this identity influences personal life beyond December.

Hymer’s team collaborated with a specialized “Santa school” and analyzed surveys from over 1,200 professional Santas, including in-depth interviews. One interviewee even appeared fully dressed in Santa costume during a Zoom call, creating an authentic holiday atmosphere. Experts highlight that for many Santas, embodying Santa’s virtues becomes a lifelong commitment to spreading joy, often shaping their everyday interactions and community involvement.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.