Secrets About Mall Santas You’ve Always Wondered About

Collecting a photo album of pictures with mall Santas is a rite of passage in every childhood. But did you ever wonder about what Santa’s job is really like?

Because between dealing with kids and taking care of that trademark beard, mall Santas have some crazy stories to tell. So here are the most surprising behind-the-scenes mall Santa secrets.

Santa School

All Santa schools train their Santas over the course of a few days in everything from ethics and answering tough potential questions from kids to the proper way to do that classic Santa ho-ho-ho.

No Promises

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Remember when the Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2 told Kevin, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep”?

Mall Santas follow this rule. They may ask children what toys they want for Christmas, but they never make any guarantees in case those items don’t end up under the tree.

Kid-Haters Need Not Apply

Obviously to be Santa, you have to not only tolerate children, but really love them. You’re talking to them all day – the cranky ones, the fussy ones, the ones who sneeze on your face with no regard – and you cannot discipline them, so patience is of utmost importance.

Santa Hall of Fame

Mall Santas may be inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame, “an ongoing project to preserve the historical documentation of the many men and women who have greatly contributed to the Legend of Santa Claus.”