The childhood Santas who Brisbane man Mel Cross remembers were clearly someone's father or uncle in an ill-fitting suit and a wonky beard.
So, when he had children of his own, he decided to create a more convincing version of the big man in the red suit.
"It started when my children were in primary school and I would do motorbike rides dressed up as a Santa for kids in the neighbourhood," Mel says.
A small community tradition grew into a part-time job, as more people began asking Mel to dress up as Santa for various events.
That was in the early 1990s and he's been a professional Santa ever since.
Here, Mel shares some of his Santa secrets.
Yak hair makes all the difference
As Mel grew into the role, he began to realise his cheap costume wasn't going to cut it.
"When I first started out my beard wasn't that flash, and neither was my suit," he says.
He sought out the best suppliers and learnt what materials looked most professional in photographs.
"My custom suit is light cotton rather than heavy velour; you can't wear that stuff here, it's just too hot."
Other accessories, like his boots and belts, are also of premium quality.
"Using yak hair for my beard and wig makes a real difference. It looks very authentic in photos," Mel says.
Over the years he has tried working for agencies but says operating as a sole trader allows him to maintain quality control.
He also steers clear of shopping centre bookings.
"It's become too commercialised, you can't just be jolly old Santa," he says.
Know your limits
Working as a Santa in Australia comes with its challenges, especially if you're booked for an outside gig.
When Mel works at theme parks or outdoor events he has a strict policy of no more than two hours in costume.
"It becomes exhausting — you lose a lot of body fluid," he says.
Mel now employs his granddaughter to help hand out presents.
"With my age and size, I can't bend down to give out the presents, so she's been a great help," he says.
"My belly is all natural; I walk like an old man too.
"I think that's part of the reason children respond to me, I really fit the stereotype."
How often does Mel say, 'Ho, ho, ho' and 'Merry Christmas' each year?
Too many times to count because the kids love hearing it.
"I've got a very deep voice, so it comes naturally," he says.
Desperately seeking Santas
Santa photos went through a strange couple of years due to the pandemic.
The number of bookings plummeted, and photos had to be socially distanced.
"Business is back but I have noticed regulars waited until the last minute to book," Mel says.
Michelle Drinnan, who runs a national Santa booking agency, says clients aren't holding back this year.
"For the first time ever, we closed our bookings as our performers were stretched too thin," she says.
"Even now, I am still looking for Santas in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast and Keilor in Victoria."
What are the reindeers' names?
You have to be prepared to answer the obvious questions like: "How does Santa get around the world in one night?"
Mel relies on science, rather than magic, to answer that one.
"I talk about time zones and how it gives me extra time to get everywhere," he says
It's also important to know the reindeers' names as someone will inevitably ask Santa to list them. (Hint: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph.)
Mel says all Santas need to be ready for the unexpected.
It doesn't happen very often but occasionally an older child will want to ruin it for the younger kids.
"They might try and pull my beard," Mel says.
"I'll put on my deep voice and warn them, 'Santa can get nasty'. They usually take a step back pretty quickly."
What if kids are shy or cry?
Over the years Mel has noticed there is a particular age group that is more likely to cry.
"From baby to around one year old, it's generally pretty easy to get a child photographed," he says.
"Around two or three things often change.
"Kids this age love Santa, they talk about Santa but when the time comes, they can get frightened or shy."
Mel says he can tell a lot by a child's facial expression or body language as they are being brought towards him.
"If I see a child is upset, I'll get out of my chair and go and say hello, tell a few jokes [to make them feel more comfortable]."
Maintain the magic, says psychologist
"Santa is a character that gives without expecting anything in return," says Rachel Hannam, a psychologist in Brisbane.
"It's part of human culture to have traditions and mythology and Santa is a great example of that," she says.
"We should nurture children's imaginations and Santa can help lay down wonderful childhood memories."
And you don't need to be a child to enjoy some of the magic.
"Santa brings out the kid in everybody," Mel says.
He does get asked whether Santa is real, but Mel knows how to respond.
"I ask them, 'What do you think?'. The kid generally goes quiet and has a think about it," he says.
"Most children, whether they believe in Santa or not, go along with it.
"At the end of the day, it's just a lot of fun."
