Santa’s Helpers Are Getting Their Ho-Ho-Hos in Order!
It’s here! Well, just about, so Santa’s helpers are doing their last-minute reviews. On November 13, 2026, professional Father Christmas performers gathered in London for the Ministry of Fun’s annual Santa School, where even the most familiar Christmas traditions get a little rehearsal.
This year’s gathering took place at the former Arding & Hobbs department store in Clapham Junction, a building with a long history of Christmas grottos. The Ministry of Fun established its Santa School in 1999, and its curriculum goes considerably beyond putting on a red suit and growing a splendid beard.
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Among the more delightful exercises in the Reuters report is a lesson involving carrots. The trainees are instructed to grab a carrot and take a bite. And in case you thought Santa’s work began in December, one participant explains that Christmas bookings start coming in as early as late August. In keeping with the spirit of the occasion, he says the real Santa calls upon his helpers to lend him and Mrs. Claus a hand.
There is a rather lovely sentiment behind all that festive jolliness. The participant describes the hard work involved, but also the joy of bringing people together with a shared passion. As he puts it, “You can almost smell mince pies in the air even though there aren’t any here.”
The lessons also prepare performers to greet children in different languages, including British Sign Language, brush up on popular toys and respond to unexpected questions with patience and warmth.
And what about that unmistakable “Ho, ho, ho!”? One Santa demonstrates the secret: take a deep breath and let the laugh come from the diaphragm. His own rendition naturally dissolves into a chuckle. A little genuine laughter might just be the most important part of the lesson.
Inside London’s Santa School: Perfecting the Christmas Ho-Ho-Ho
Sources: Reuters (via The Guardian); Ministry of Fun; London TV.
