Ho, ho, ho!  Merry Christmas!  It’s getting to be that time of year.  Christmas is right around the corner. And it’s about the time when you’ll start to see Santa Claus everywhere!  Lots of people-and businesses-own Santa outfits and bring them out every year to help spread Christmas cheer in their little area of the world.

Of course, the department stores, parades, and community events that feature Santa Claus prominently in appearances for the kids all have Santa outfits.  And Santa outfits are a requirement for the jolly old gents who dress up like Kris Kringle for photo opps with the children in the mall.  But did you know there are many others who also own Santa outfits?

Photography studios usually have Santa outfits hidden away in back for promotional Christmas portraits.  Beginning in November, they will begin including Santa in portraits with children and babies for Christmas cards, calendars, and other gifts.  They simply hire someone to wear the suit and interact with the kids while they take the portraits.

In early to mid-November, the Salvation Army usually starts its red kettle bell ringing campaign nationwide, raising funds to help homeless families and individuals and others in need.

Lots of the male volunteers for the bell ringing campaign like to dress up like Santa when they’re raising funds and ringing the bell outside of malls and department stores, as well.  Many of them own Santa outfits of their own, since they volunteer each year.

Later in December, these same people may dress up in their Santa outfits at Christmas and holiday parties with family and friends or even for their office.  Many also don their Santa outfits to play Santa at holiday gatherings involving young children for their own or neighbor’s families.  They may hand out the presents or candy canes on Christmas Eve or at a special party.

Children’s units in the hospital may also have someone dressed up like Mr. Claus to hand out gifts to the children who must be hospitalized due to illness so they will have a special Christmas.

But even though lots of people have Santa outfits, Santa outfits are not all created equal.  While some are made of bright red fabric, others incorporate a deeper almost maroon shade of red.

Those red fabrics may be satiny or silky, cotton/polyester blends, plush, velour, or even velvet.  The white trim on Santa outfits can also vary.  It could be white velour, plush, imitation fur, or even maribou.

The fabrics and trims utilized can create an overall effect of a modern Santa Claus or a more old-fashioned edition of Jolly Old St Nick or a Victorian Era Father Christmas.  Likewise, the fabrics and trims used will usually correlate to the price of the Santa outfits you compare.  The higher the price, the better quality and more authentic looking the costume will usually be.

Santa outfits always include pants, overcoat, and hat.  Some also come with a black belt, black boots or boot covers, white gloves, a toy or gift bag, a wig, a fake beard, eyeglasses, white eyebrows, and even makeup to complete the look.  Again, the more expensive outfits typically include more accessories and accessories that are a higher quality than the cheaper versions.  Santa outfits that are more expensive are also better constructed and will usually last much longer.