Do two Santas from different lands have much to sleigh to each other when they meet up?
To find out, we brought Klaus Kröger and Andy John Bradford together on Zoom for our Europe Talks project.
Their festive chat flowed, ranging from how they managed Covid restrictions and whether their beards are real.
The screen shows Klaus, 62, from Berlin, Germany, with a green and red background, while Andy, 57, from Coleraine, Co Derry, is in his music studio shed.
"It is a great job," smiles Andy. "Every child is different. When I started, I expected what you see in films, the typical greedy kid.
"You do get those, they bring a big letter and pictures cut from the Argos catalogue. You look at the list and look at the parent, and the parent is shaking their head. "You have to say, 'it depends, it might be difficult for my elves to make'.
"You also get the child who says they don't want anything."
Klaus looks every inch the traditional Santa as he smooths his naturally snow white hair.
"It is the same in Germany," he nods. "Some families are very cosy, a lot of family with aunts, uncles, grandpas, but then some are just single people with a little child in a very nice apartment, they are alone, but that is just life, whether it is in Berlin or Northern Ireland."
Father Christmas is a tradition all over the world - but, like decorated trees, tinsel and wreaths, he began in Germany.
"When I go to a shopping mall, I just sit there, then they can take photos with their mobiles and I get cookies. I collect wish lists too," Klaus says. "Normally in
Germany it is free. I go to kindergarten in the mornings, they sing songs, say a poem and do a dance, then presents. I have done video calls to London and films for companies, it is a nice job!"
Andy, who sports a bushy, fake beard started in a shopping centre.
He says: "The big opening was in front of 10,000. Now, I collect wish lists, I collect letters and I give letters out from Santa written by parents.
"We also do a Santa day for people with sensory issues, disabilities, or who don't like big crowds. We usually do a Silent Santa as well."
Last year, Covid changed everything, with both restricted to visiting individual families outdoors. Both clearly love their jobs, but admit it can be sad. Andy says: "We have to keep that magic alive.
"My first experience of Santa as a child was at a shop called Woolworths in Bradford and I remember the most disappointing Santa in my life.
"He had a thin felt suit, a fake beard and a smell of alcohol" He went on: "One year, a child sat next to me and said, 'I don't want anything for Christmas, all I want if for you to make granny better.' I held back tears.
"I went over, gave them a hug and gave the child a little present. I said, 'I hope she gets better soon'.
"It restores your faith in humanity when you see the innocence of children."
As the meeting draws to an end, the Santas study each other's get-up.
Andy is in awe of Klaus' flowing beard, and Klaus is keen to know more about Andy's traditional robe. "Happy Christmas to you," says Andy, "And to you!" waves Klaus, "Have a wonderful time being Santa!"
