Santa shortage! Seasonal workers offered big bucks to play Mr. Claus
USA/UK - First, a server shortage, and now – the Man In Red.
The US and UK are apparently short-handed when it comes to Father Christmas.
The average wage for Santa Claus impersonators has reportedly quadrupled in the UK this year due to a lack of actors to play the famed Kris Kringle.
Covid surges have been attributed to the lack of Santas, and have contributed to throngs of job listings highlighting a heightened demand for the big man.
Some jobs are offering pay of up to $130 an hour, and in some cases, over $1,000 a day.
"Santa and his elves are not immune to the shortage of seasonal workers," Jack Kennedy, an economist for the job search site Indeed, told the Daily Star.
It has followed an overall trend of fewer candidates being willing to put themselves at risk for seasonal jobs, due to the required close physical contact amid pandemic fears.
Mitch Allen of hiresanta.com told ABC7 that the number of impersonators on his booking site is down 10% this year.
He also said there has been a large loss in the Santa community, with 350 impersonators he knows of dying from coronavirus and related health issues.
Christmas House in Long Island chose to go a different route this year, installing a robotic Santa for visitors to interact with in lieu of a live actor.
Yet, many agencies have continued their work to increase in-person recruits. A community networking site in the UK said it had taken up the task of training 100 volunteers to play Santa in order to create the holiday spirit during a dark time.
"We truly believe every town, village and community deserves a visit from Santa," Nextdoor spokesperson Roisin O’Neil said.
Hopefully, the more handsomely-paid Santas will be able to safely bring some much-needed cheer to this year's holiday season.
Cover photo: 123RF/lacheev