Santa’s Grotto in City Centre is closed due to the shortage of performers, what is the life like for Father Christmas?
Children in Cardiff could be left disappointed this Christmas as a national Santa shortage hits the city.
There has been a 33% decline in professional Father Christmas across the country and Santa’s Grotto in Queens Street is currently struggling with only three of its eight required Santa Clauses.
“People just do not know how to be a good Santa. I think it is greatly related to one’s personality.” said Rob Murphy, who has been working as a professional Saint Nicholas for five years.
Murphy works as a builder in Pontypridd during day time, and transforms into Father Christmas when evening comes, giving gifts to kids waiting eagerly. During his five years making Ho ho ho, he is now the king who keeps balancing the sleigh of life.
According to MailOnline, professionals revealed how Santa actors are now fully booked until 2025 as demand continues to soar. Santa’s Grotto normally runs from mid-November to Christmas Eve, often seven days a week, the job needs commitment. Murphy told us that being Father Christmas is more than just a white beard and a red suit.
“You’ve got to give everything to it,” Murphy said. “You can’t let up for a minute because you don’t know who’s coming through the door. Sometimes, you can even get a 20 year old woman sitting on your knee.”
By day, Murphy works as a builder. By night, he transforms into Santa Claus, a role he’s performed for five years across South Wales. Despite a promising acting career, he continues construction work. “I just can’t stop working. I love building things, it is similar to acting actually,” he said.
“The requirements actually are not that strict, but at least you should be an old man over 50 like me.” He also listed the qualities a good Santa needs: patience, friendliness, and love for children.
Financially, being Santa can be surprisingly rewarding. Hourly rates range from £15 to £50, with some events offering a great dinner. For Murphy, now 60, the compensation is not as important as the joy he finds in children’s reactions.
“When you see their happy faces, it totally worth it, trust me,” he said.
The job also comes with unexpected emotional moments. Murphy described meeting a girl aged 14 who whispered her Christmas wish to him, “I just want my father to love me.”
Arguments occurred frequently, with parents urging children to leave while the children wanted to stay longer, especially those with ADHD. He usually pacifies children by pretending that Rudolf is calling him back. Murphy explained that a Santa’s role extends beyond simply distributing gifts, but building various relationships with kids and parents.
Interestingly, Murphy notes a shift in children’s beliefs. “Attitudes have changed,” he observes. Once, a child directly told him, “I don’t believe in you, Santa.” Murphy’s quick-witted response challenged the child’s mind, “Sure. Why are you sitting on my knee? Why are you talking to me?” He spoke in a Santa’s accent, which could suddenly take people back to their childhood.
While professional acting experience isn’t compulsory for Santas, Murphy attended acting classes at the beginning. His first job came through a casting director who called him at the first sight of the recruitment.
From his appearance to his character, Rob Murphy looks exactly the classic role throughout Christmas. No one is born a Santa, but some are naturally drawn to the love of creating magic moments in the Grotto.