- Title: Santas gather at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate ahead of their big night on Dec. 24
- Date: 1st December 2024
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (DECEMBER 1, 2024) (REUTERS) RENTAL SANTAS POSING FOR CAMERAS IN FRONT OF BERLIN’S LANDMARK, THE BRANDENBURG GATE HEAD SANTA ANDREAS PENSKI RINGING BELL BEFORE SAYING HE WILL CHECK WHETHER EVERY SANTA IS PREPARED FOR CHRISTMAS, WHETHER THE COSTUMES FIT AND WHETHER BOOTS ARE CLEAN, THEN ASKING SANTAS AND ANGELS TO LINE UP IN A ROW ONLOOKERS / BRANDENBURG GAT
- Embargoed: 15th December 2024 15:32
- Keywords: Berlin Brandenburg Gate Father Christmas Germany Santa Claus angel rental
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Europe,Human-Led Feature,Human-Led Stories
- Reuters ID: LVA002383501122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Berlin’s Santas gathered at the German capital’s landmark, the Brandenburg Gate, on Sunday (December 1) as the countdown for their big night was underway.
Germans traditionally celebrate Christmas on December 24 and the “Berlin Santa Headquarters” (Berliner Weihnachtsmannzentrale) has provided rental Santas for the past 20 years.
Families can book a Santa from 65 euros who then visits the home to hand out Christmas presents for the children.
If an angel accompanies Santa, the fee is 96 euros and a Santa with “long-term experience” costs 85 euros.
The service is so popular, Head Santa Andreas Penski said, that he needs more of them to meet demand but it is hard to attract new recruits.
Gerhard, a seasoned Santa, thinks it is hard to find new Santas because people misunderstand the job.
“Don’t go with any religious message, just put the children in the (focus) and go and make them happy. That’s all,” said Gerhard.
Santa Gerhard had one incentive to share for those thinking about joining: “When you go to like ten, twelve customers and you have to run to the fifth floor without an elevator, you are getting very slim, believe me.”
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