Father Christmases you have known

[661-Pete]

I don't know whether we've had a thread on this topic before.
Have any of you actually been Father Christmas? I mean a real one, engaged professionally?

I feel the urge to describe the one who (until last year) did the kiddie's open day at my workplace. In his day job a hefty, brawny warehouseman, mid-40s, tattoos all up his arms, earrings and other piercings everywhere, pony-tail down to his waist, straggly brown beard adorning the front of his T-shirt, jeans that could stand up on their own. You know the type. How he managed to transmogrify into the cuddly white-bearded granddad-figure the kids all adore, I'll never know, but manage it he did, I saw the transformation! And I understand he was a hit with the children.

 

[Dayvo]

I played Father Christmas aged 7 in the junior school nativity play!

It put me off acting forever! Forgot my lines and tried to ad-lib!

 

[gavintc]

I was Santa for a day in Hong Kong in the late 70's. I had to convince about 100 Nepalese and Chinese children that I was Santa, few of whom understood the concept. I was not a success and had many crying children on my knee. I have a deal of respect for Santas as I know it is not an easy task. Never again for me.

 

[DJ]

Not proffessionally, but they did let me be Santa when my son was in nursery, they were sitting there and his mate was elbowing him in the ribs and shouting thats your Dad, his face was a picture when he clocked me, somewhere between disbelief and embarrasment, later I had to tell him I was employed as one of santas helpers!!!!!
oh the lies we tell.

 

[marooncat]

Not really on topic but I remember when I was at primary school (a wee village one) one of my friends decided that it was her dad who was the "santa" for the school Christmas Party so when she went up to get her present she gave him a big kiss on the cheek... only to find it was not her dad but someone else's and she was mortified!! Must have been about 8 or 9 years old!!