How to Dress Up As Santa Claus

If you are drafted in to be one of Santa's little helpers this Christmas, you'll need to know how to dress like him.

Steps

1. Put on some bright red trousers.
2. Wear black shiny boots. Tuck your trousers into your boots so you can show off the white fluffy trim on your boots.
3. Add padding. If your belly doesn't quite wobble like a bowl full of jelly, you can bring it up to Santa's standard by adding some padding. Tie with a bow on both sides.
4. Add a jacket. Put on a red jacket to match the trousers. The furry borders around the sleeves and the hood keep Santa Claus warm on a cold Christmas Eve. Of course, if Santa's doing the rounds of the Southern Hemisphere, make sure the jacket is lightweight so that Santa doesn't overheat.
5. Belt up. Add a wide black leather belt with a gold buckle over your jacket. This should be quite tight so that your tummy spills over it slightly.
6. Make it realistic. If you are wearing long sleeves underneath your jacket, make sure they are completely hidden and tuck them up out of sight. You should also take off your watch if you are wearing one, unless it is authentically in the style of St. Nick.
7. Grow a beard. You've got the suit right but you probably still look a little too young to be the real Santa Claus. If you don't have a real beard already or the time to grow one, wear a fake white beard and moustache. The elastic should sit at the back of the head near your crown. Fix your beard so you can see your mouth just below your moustache.
8. Add white hair. Wear a wig of wavy white hair to go with your beard. You should be starting to feel quite jolly around about now.
9. Wear glasses. Santa Claus is a very old man so his eyesight isn't what it used to be. Wear some half moon spectacles at the end of your nose. Don't push them too high up your nose so that you can peer over them and look down at children who come to see you with bright, happy eyes.
10. Put on a hat. Put on a bright red hat with white fluffy trim. Hold the rim at the front and slide the back over your head. Let the pom pom dangle down at one side over your shoulder.
11. Add gloves. To complete the look, slip on some white gloves to hide any signs that you're not the real Father Christmas.
12. Practice the ho ho ho. Finally, put your hands on your belly or rest them on your belt buckle and let out your best "Ho Ho Ho!"

Video

Tips

• There is nothing to stop women dressing up as Santa. Just do your jolly Santa laugh in a deeper register than your usual voice.
• Look in dollar stores, costume stores, department stores and thrift stores (opportunity shops) for a costume. If you are really desperate, a pair of red men's pajamas will do the trick perfectly.

Things You'll Need

• Bright red trousers
• Pair of big black boots with furry trim
• Padding for your belly
• Matching red jacket with a white fluffy border
• Black belt with a gold buckle
• Pair of white gloves
• White beard
• White wig
• Red hat with a white bobble
• Pair of glasses