Real Santa Clauses

ExPhysGuy posted a picture at reddit of a man in Ireland who fills the role of Santa Claus at the local schools. Even when he’s off-duty, he takes his role seriously for the little kids who see him. There were several stories in the comments underneath that show appreciation for men like this who take time to be Santa Claus for kids, because they know that children will recognize them wherever they are, no matter what time of the year it is.  

We got a great story from this_wasamistake.

So, my uncle used to look a lot like Santa pretty much all the time. Pot belly, deep but kind voice, sweet grey beard, the works. Just like this guy here.

One year in the fall he drove home from the grocery store, and when he got inside, noticed a car drove up and parked right in front of his house. No one came out for awhile so he went to check it out, when some guy got out of the car and approached him. The dude had two kids in the car, who had seen my uncle at the store, and just cried and cried to their dad how he was "letting Santa get away!" so they made him drive after my uncle. The guy was real apologetic and asked if my uncle can just say hi to his kids, but my uncle being the amazing person he was, ran inside to get them cookies, and sure to talk to them awhile. The kids left happy as clams and I'm sure the dad got major dad points.

I just really miss my uncle. The idea of people thinking about him, even just for the duration of this post, makes me not miss him so badly.

From timforreal:

They've had the same Santa at my local mall for at least 12 years, and he is fantastic. He's got a real beard, has a personally owned awesome looking suit, is great with kids etc. I've seen him do the same thing when it's the "off season" and he's at the mall doing his shopping.

There were rumors that he was retiring 2 years ago, and I was very happy to see that he was still there last year. It will be difficult to replace someone as good as him.

Read this cute story from blissfully_happy.

I was in the back of my suburban, digging around one day, while my boyfriend was in the grocery store. A man walked passed our truck and saw my partner's 5-year-old sitting in the back seat. He said to him (through the open window), "Hi, there! You're being good, right?"

I popped my head up and said, "He is," thinking this dude must be a friend of his mom or dad's (we live in a small town).

He walked away, and I said, "Do you know that guy?"

Kid: "No, but I'm pretty sure Santa just told me to behave."

Thanks, random bearded stranger. Good work.

ChrisTR15 tell us about a co-worker.

There is a guy that works with me who looks like Santa. WHEN EVER a kid comes up to him, he reaches in his backpack and gives him a candy cane and a Christmas card. Saw it in mid July a few years ago. Was sweet.

Alpaca_Rancher had an uncle who looked like Santa.

My Great Uncle was a professional Mall Santa. He had a big white beard and wore red all year around. It really did look spot on. He loved kids always coming up to him and enjoyed it all year around. I seriously thought he was santa till I was like 10.

And mcketten summed up how it works.

There is a professional Santa in my hometown. All Christmas season he is in another state, playing Santa at a mall. However, all year he keeps his beard and hair trimmed, wears his glasses, and always wears clothing that involves red and green and suspenders at a minimum.

He never breaks character for any child. He also has some great stories, like when he was walking down the street and a kid came running up to him crying because he was lost but then saw Santa and knew he would be fine.

I've talked to him several times about it and he said, "Being Santa is one of the greatest responsibilities I have ever had. It is a way of life, not a job, and you have to treat it that way."