Santa, jolly, heavyset, elderly with a white beard, is still leery of young unvaccinated children, so there is a labor shortage of Santa’s this year.
The demographic that remains most at risk of severe complications from the Coronavirus is the same group from which Santa’s come, and so many of those who in years past loved the engagement with young children are sitting this year out.
Mitch Allen shot to stardom on the TV show “Shark Tank” will his Santa staffing agency called HireSanta.com, and things were going gangbusters until the pandemic hit. Last year Santa visits were mostly virtual as the deadly winter wave of Covid swept across the holiday landscape, but this year family gatherings, office parties and mall trips for photos are back.
Allen says demand for Santa is up 120% over pre-pandemic levels. Everyone is seeking the emotional comfort of tradition.
But the North Pole has a labor shortage, and there are anywhere from 10-15% fewer Santa’s available. The good news for St. Nicholas is that as supply and demand issues conflict, his salary is up 15-25%.
Hopefully he’ll give the elves a raise and the reindeer a treat.
photo: Getty Images