A survey of over 850 professional Santas found that anyone can take on the Christmastime role, even if they look wildly different to how Santa Claus is presented in media and thought of in the collective imagination.

Researchers found that there is a more diverse range of Santas working in the U.S. than previously believed, and that anyone who feels emotionally called to portray Father Christmas —regardless of how well they match the traditional image—can still become a good candidate for the role.

Alongside the survey, the team also conducted interviews with more than 50 professional Santas from across the country.

“There are pretty strong societal expectations around what Santa looks like, but we found that most anybody can be Santa if their heart desires it,” paper author and m

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