2023-12-18 10:30:52
Christmas is coming. And the question of who brings the presents on Christmas Eve.
But fewer and fewer Santa Claus actors are in action. Demand is also not at the same level as before Corona.
Too expensive?
One possible reason could be the sharp rise in prices for Santa Claus appearances. Because: The actors have higher costs, for example for the petrol for the journey.
The standard price for an appearance is now 85 euros, says Petra Henkert from the Zeuthen Christmas office in Brandenburg to the dpa. The now 61-year-old started her agency in 2000. At that time, according to Henkert, families had to spend around 30 euros for a Santa Claus appearance.
Today it could be up to 250 euros at some agencies. Many families simply cannot or do not want to afford that.
APP users can take part in the survey here: Who plays Santa Claus for you?
Santa Claus mediation
In the past, students also worked as Santa Clauses, arranged by the student unions. But year after year there were fewer. In 2019, only three of the 57 student unions nationwide provided Santa Clauses. The German Student Union does not know whether everyone has now left.
For a long time, angels and Santa Clauses could also be booked through employment agencies, but of course: business was worse during the Corona period.
The Hanover employment agency, for example, dropped out of placement completely. The reason was the shortage of skilled workers. “Our Santa Clauses were severely restricted during the Corona period and still are – due to their age. “So you can’t visit families,” explains an authority spokesman. There were also no new serious applications.
also read
The Santa Claus Code
Good Santa Clauses are rare, says Willi Dahmen from Celle. He has been traveling as Santa Claus for more than 30 years. This year it is completely booked, reports the 71-year-old with the impressive white beard.
Dahmen has over 60 actors in his database, which he places across Germany. Work follows Santa Claus’ code of honor. It says: Santa Claus is patient and calm and creates a nice atmosphere. He never swears, doesn’t smoke in costume and is always properly dressed.
For Dahmen, it is also important to preserve Christmas traditions: “That’s why I demand that songs be sung and poems be recited.”
#Christmas #Rental #Santas #short #supply #year #Life #Knowledge