Santa Clause at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Photo: getty
Santa Clausmight notbe coming to town.
That’s because many Santa Claus entertainers have decided to forego this holiday season amid theCOVID-19 pandemic.
Hiresanta.comfounder Mitch Allen toldInsiderhis company has seen a 121% jump in the amount of Santa requests this year compared to the past two years. However, the amount of available Santas is down 10% because some have sadly died from COVID, others are choosing not to participate to protect their health and some have simply retired from the seasonal gig.
Allen told theWashingtonPost, “Several hundred Santas and Mrs. Clauses, over the last 18 months, have passed away, and it’s just a tragedy. (He noted that COVID is not the cause of all the deaths he’s aware of.)
“Hundreds of people a day have been reaching out to us,” he said, per thePost. “We always sell out on weekends, but normally it’s after Thanksgiving.”
Tim Connaghan, the"National Santa"for the Toys for Tots Foundation and the owner of the International University of Santa Claus, surveyed 376 of his fellow Santas in his annualRed Suit Survey.
Results indicated that while 82 percent of responding Santas said they received theirCOVID-19 vaccinations, 18 percent are still opting to take this year off. Connaghan admitted to cutting back on his own gigs to spend more time with loved ones.
“I’ve had all my shots and all my vaccinations, and I watch myself very closely,” he told thePost. “But I want to remain cautious, you know, and I’m also encouraging other Santas to do the same.”
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“I was thinking of asking my husband, because he has a big full beard and kind of like, longish hair,” she told the newspaper of her desperation.
In the end, she was able to book a fake-bearded Santa for $320 for two hours via GigSalad, thePostreported.
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Bryant added, “If we wanted one with a real beard, it would have been like, a hundred dollars more.”
Insider reported that a lack of costumes due to supply chain shortages has also contributed to the Santa deficiency.
source: people.com
