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Christmas in crisis as Germany suffers severe Santa shortage

Santas are increasingly hard to come by in Germany (PA)
Santas are increasingly hard to come by in Germany (PA)

In news that’s more “oh, no” than “ho, ho, ho”, Germany is suffering a serious Santa shortage.

Known as Weihnachtsmänners, their men in red fulfil a more bespoke role than our UK Father Christmases, with families paying for a personal visit from the main man as a traditional treat for their children.

But what was once considered a nice little earner for students – about €100 per visit for an elite Santa – has become a bit passe, with excessive study demands and a decline in Christianity seen as the two main reasons for the drop in interest.

The Berlin Santa Claus Office, which typically takes about 2,500 bookings a year, said that it now has fewer than 200 Father Christmases on its books – down from 500.

Employee Petra Henkert told Der Tagesspiegel: “We are suffering a Santa drought.”

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Weihnachtsmänners traditionally visit families to deliver Christmas-themed stories or songs, creating a magical experience for children.

The Times reports that parents are continuing to make desperate online pleas for a Santa to come to their rescue, with one post reading: “If you have red robes, thick boots, a long beard and the time and inclination to visit our family on Christmas Eve we would be thrilled.”

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