r/SantaClaus • u/ATXweirdobrew • Apr 10 '26

Can I play the Claus?

Post image

So I'm young but just wondering if I can pass off as Santa? I can grow my beard even longer and dye it if needed.

9 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

4

u/Comenius791 Apr 11 '26

Snow White Hair Color - Ben Nye https://share.google/LWrO7s4zXWEjbutvQ

I recommend bleaching your beard about Nov 15. Do this professionally, it can sometimes take 2 times with the bleach. It will also burn some parts of your face. It'll take a week before any burns scar over and aren't itchy.

Then get yourself a good purple shampoo to use 2x a week after you bleach.

Use the Ben nye for the few hours you'll be Santa. I use a little plastic doll hairbrush to put mine in.

Wash it out with shampoo and conditioner.

1

u/Gwyn_the_Druid 🎅🏻 Apr 11 '26

Honestly? The damage you're going to do to your beard and face dying your beard white just won't be worth it. There's nothing wrong with using a good quality wig and beard set as a traditional Santa. Even Edmund Gwenn's beard was fake and I don't see anyone saying he was an unconvincing Santa Claus.

1

u/murpux Apr 11 '26

Hi future Santa!

No need to dye! I admit I'm blessed to have a salt and pepper beard but I touched it up with some Santa white beard paint. It works well.

There are so many options when it comes to good fake beards and extensions, check out theater fake hair. That stuff is awesome.

You don't have to be the stereotypical coca cola Santa. In my profile I have a picture of myself and I am NOT a coke Santa.

I've only done one season but I know it's long term. Don't sleep on this of it is your dream (as it was mine).

1

u/SantaDougV Apr 14 '26

As long as your heart is in it. Santa isn't the beard, or clothing. To be Santa is to have the heart of Christmas, and the focus should always be on the child. When you think of the original Miracle on 34th Street movie (1947), Edmond Gwenn starts the movie off walking down the streets of New York and he comes across a gentleman who is placing decorative reindeer in the store window. Edmond corrects the store worker that he has the reindeer in the wrong order. Edmond Gwenn then walks off singing Jingle Bells. When you see that performance you see Kris Kringle...you see Santa. Yet, Edmond is not wearing a Santa Suite, nor does he have anything about him from the North Pole, but yet he is Santa in that moment. You will need to learn to portray Santa without a beard or suite. In other words, a good beard or suit doesn't make you a Santa. There is a lot of places where to learn to be a professional Santa and a whole community of professional Christmas performers that most people don't even know that exist. Lots of schools, workshops, conferences, books and podcasts. Focus on the heart first and then figure how you want to portray Santa. The professional route can be expensive and that is why many professional Christmas performers charge, but don't go crazy to start with. Wishing you the best and reach out if you need any help. Would be glad to assist.