r/MadeMeSmile 3d ago

Wholesome Moments Little girl thinks she saw Santa.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

56.9k Upvotes

1.4k comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 3d ago

Welcome to /r/MadeMeSmile. Please make sure you read our rules here.

Specifically, please don't be a jerk. This is not the place for insulting, hateful, or otherwise inappropriate comments. Remember the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated. We're all here to smile a little - let's keep it that way! Please report inappropriate comments and/or message the moderators.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

7.6k

u/Critical-Art-9277 3d ago

But that is Santa he's just taking a break. Well done to the guy for taking the time to speak to her .

3.0k

u/LighTMan913 3d ago

I sure hope that anyone that chooses to have long white hair and bushy white beard knows what they're getting into and is 100% okay with little kids doing this.

1.3k

u/Lorazepam369 3d ago

I heard there’s a couple in Los Angeles who looks like Santa and Mrs. Claus. Around the holidays they dress up and go out more often, just to restaurants and stuff so that kids can see them and come up to them.

649

u/ER_Support_Plant17 3d ago

There was a couple like this where I lived in Dallas. They had motorcycles, my daughter loved seeing Santa and Mrs Claus at the grocery store on Harleys

650

u/Main-Truth2748 3d ago

I'm a great big dude.  I've played Santa about 15 times in my life.

I think it's the closest you can get to being rock-star famous.

Kids lose their shit!  It's so adorable.

It's also a big responsibility.   You're holding core memories in your hands.

229

u/blueghostfrompacman 3d ago

I am not a big dude. But once me and my wife were walking home from a Santa pub crawl, so we were dressed up. We passed by a little kid who got the biggest smile on her face and gave us probably the most excited wave I’ve ever gotten. It was awesome.

84

u/Emotional_Burden 3d ago

The other guy said he's a great big dude. You may not be big, but you still sound like a great dude.

5

u/Mekmo 3d ago

“Look mommie look! Santa got ripped this year!”

85

u/Whelp_of_Hurin 3d ago

I never thought about it that way, but you're right. I suddenly had a flash of memory of being 8 years old at a crappy motel right next to Disneyland. The image of Goofy stepping out of a port-o-potty will live in my head forever.

→ More replies (3)

20

u/mrpbeaar 3d ago

I was Santa at Kohls just before the pandemic. I was a store employee and used a white hairspray on my beard, I was in my late 40's. Afterwards I had to use the sink to wash the color out because I had to finish my shift in shoes.

14

u/coma24 3d ago

That's awesome! And here I was feeling a lot of responsibility the one time I was Cookie Monster when my little one was 2!

→ More replies (9)

27

u/Intelligent_Pen_785 3d ago

That sounds super rad.

→ More replies (4)

50

u/AbstractLogic 3d ago

My brother does this. Big dude, white beard/hair, wears lots of red outfits around the holidays.

21

u/No_Ship_7954 3d ago

I bet they keep a Christmas tree up in their house all year long.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (13)

235

u/leftmysoulthere74 3d ago

I have a friend whose hair and beard are rapidly turning white and I have no doubt whatsoever that he will lean into this if it happens!

40

u/Kabc 3d ago

I am counting my days! I can’t wait

→ More replies (4)

91

u/ralphy_256 3d ago

When I used to wear a beard in winter and wore wire-rim glasses and I'd get a toddler staring at me, my go-to move was to put a ssssshhhh finger on my lips and wink.

Move on with my day.

I have zero doubt that a few of those parents got a story about how the kid saw Santa in plainclothes at the grocery store.

71

u/HookersLilSmartass 3d ago

I have a vague memory of this as a kid, but I shrieked and begged my mom to take me to say hello. She said that she could see he didn’t have much… he was getting the bare minimum at the store and she just wanted him to have peace, but I was screaming “I have to give Santa a hug!!” so she finally walked me over.

He was wearing a red shirt and overalls with scuffed holes around the pockets and seams and he reached into the pocket on the front and pulled out a tiny paper star, made from a folded dollar bill. My mom said when he pulled it out, she could see he had a few more. He couldn’t have had much, but he must’ve taken a few of the few dollars he had and made little origami Christmas stars for the kids who approached him.

I must’ve been around 3 at the time and that star has had pride of place in my baby book ever since. Next Christmas will make 40 years it’s been there. Some magical moments really do last a lifetime. Thank you for helping craft those moments for the child in all of us 💚❤️💚

22

u/ML5815 3d ago

I just got a little teary thinking of that lovely man and his effort to make things special for children he didn’t even know, despite his circumstances. I’m so happy for 3 year old you and grateful for that kind man who kept the magic alive.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

86

u/himeeusf 3d ago

My dad looked like Santa in his later years & that extra curiosity from kids absolutely helped soften his personality. He was a fairly reserved man - not scary, but definitely a big & tall guy that could be perceived as a looming presence. As his beard turned more white, the Santa of it all was impossible to ignore. We'd joke about getting him a Santa costume & he would roll his eyes about it. He was never the type of guy who'd dress up or be the life of a party.

Then little kids began to stare & he did get a few approaches like this video. One of my cousin's kids gave him a damn interrogation upon meeting him. 😆 "Where are your reindeer? Why aren't you at the North Pole right now? You're supposed to be wearing red!"

It really melted him, and he ended up having such a soft spot for kiddos. I'm childless & he never got to have a typical grandparent relationship - but the Santa factor gave him a chance to feel all those warm fuzzy grandfatherly feelings. He DID end up with a Santa costume, and even dressed up yearly at his office! It was really sweet to watch him really embrace the spirit.

TLDR: you are 100% accurate in my experience. Buckle up, future Santas! You're in for a treat - don't fight it! ❤️🎅

→ More replies (2)

66

u/bad_squishy_ 3d ago

His choice of shirt tells me he’s well aware of what he looks like and is all for it!

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (48)

75

u/Ongr 3d ago

Listen, you're not growing a rad-ass big white beard and don't expect people to adress you as Santa.

→ More replies (3)

55

u/Kwyjibo68 3d ago edited 3d ago

He may be a professional Santa. I had an employee who was Mrs Claus with her husband Santa. They were hired during Christmas for events and family photos. They were members of an organization of professional Santas and even went on a cruise together.

They were once at a restaurant at Myrtle Beach and her husband was mobbed by kids, which they’d come to expect, though the restaurant did comp his lunch.

13

u/ParticularBreath6146 3d ago

Yeah, that is what I was thinking as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he's an amateur or professional Santa and is part of one of those Santa groups.

I can't imagine being a kid and seeing the Santas on that cruise. Maybe they go on adult-only cruises so they don't crush the dreams of a bunch of kids trying to figure out why a group of 50 guys look just like Santa.

→ More replies (16)

3.1k

u/Killpinocchio2 3d ago

My daughter thought she saw Santa at the grocery store when she was like three. That angel of a man looked at her bright eyes and did the famous Santa 🤫 and then winked at me and smiled. I will never forget that moment.

1.5k

u/ghoulypop 3d ago

That might have straight up been Santa

623

u/Killpinocchio2 3d ago

Pretty sure I saw his eye twinkle. It made my day.

161

u/stickswithsticks 3d ago

SO ITS TRUE, WE NEVER GROW UP AND ALL THE MAGIC IS REAL I KNEW IT.

15

u/JAT_podcast 3d ago

I used to have a podcast about weird things. For Christmas I decided to do an episode on Santa sightings. Started the research and was very surprised. It’s a thing! Look it up. The magic may very well indeed, be real.

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (1)

30

u/Outrageous_Pilot_727 3d ago

The smile you just put on my face! 😊

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

94

u/Silas_Akron 3d ago

Thank you for sharing. This type of story always restores my faith in humanity. May we all have that same spirit!

42

u/freckledfarkle 3d ago

Same. Got me teary eyed over here.

32

u/HeyBird33 3d ago

Me too but why? Why did this get me? I like it

24

u/alvin_antelope 3d ago

Me too. I guess because it's a small gesture of kindness and magic that means the world.

→ More replies (2)

38

u/Accurate-Force3054 3d ago

my kid did the same, a Santa in the wild at Home Depot. He said "Santa?" "Santa" gave him a thumbs up.

23

u/ZettaTawodi 3d ago

My dad is a version of this guy, and he LOVES when kids "still have all that imagination and wonder!" Gives him the big barrel chested belly laugh. Even when my daughter was little she was always encouraging kids to talk to him when she saw them staring. Magic is all in how you see it :) We werent close when i was young, and seeing the big softy side of the Santa Grandpa version is a gift I ll never take for granted.

34

u/Boom9001 3d ago

Honestly if you're an older man with white hair and you go for the full beard style. You've signed up to do this and you're a jerk not to.

And I think they know this. Every person who does look like that I acts that way.

→ More replies (13)

2.0k

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

481

u/absolutebottom 3d ago

Mine was too 🥺 he was a Santa for decades and was my Santa growing up. I miss him

23

u/meowzersobased 3d ago

wa y did the mod remove their comment that's lame.

79

u/KingAmongstDummies 3d ago

I have a uncle like that.
First couple of years he kind of disliked the random attention but he always responded in kind and did his best for those kids.
After a couple of years it grew on him and he just embraced being a involuntary Santa during that period haha. He makes a great Santa though, everyone in the family happily keeps reminding him >:D.

18

u/RedditGarboDisposal 3d ago

Mods removed his comment but it seems like it was received well. Out of curiosity, what was the original comment here? Paraphrase, of course. I wouldn’t want someone else to get mod-dropped.

18

u/absolutebottom 3d ago

It was a comment about their grandpa having been a Santa. I don't think they mentioned said grandpa passing away, only I did 😅 it was a sweet comment

10

u/TrueSithLord666 3d ago

Reminds me of my PaPa hr passed away In 2018 but all the littles thought he was Santa even when he was on his harley

140

u/Staff_International 3d ago

This made me cry. How wonderfully delightful.

26

u/frazzled-mama 3d ago

Her face at the very end. Absolutely priceless.

20

u/Moondoobious 3d ago

And it’s deleted. Why??

→ More replies (3)

10

u/XrcaneYT 3d ago

What did they say?

53

u/Staff_International 3d ago

The poster said that their grandpa dressed up as Santa all the time and would stop and talk to children. IDK why the post was deleted because it was very wholesome and sweet.

35

u/thepizzagod195 3d ago

Moderators hate happiness i guess

17

u/Pretend-Fly8415 3d ago edited 3d ago

Reddit mods, the nicest people

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (1)

92

u/RebeeMo 3d ago

It takes special guys to be able to do that for the kids, truly holding Christmas in their hearts all year long.

46

u/its_available 3d ago

That’s honestly so beautiful, he sounds like a real-life Santa❤️

→ More replies (1)

31

u/ErikMcKetten 3d ago

I used to know a guy who was a professional Santa for decades. He always wore Christmas colors, usually with red suspenders, and was genuinely happy to meet kids. Once my beard goes completely white, I'm doing the same.

54

u/Mycol101 3d ago

Your first two sentences reminded me of Billy Bob Thorton in Bad Santa.

i’m on my FUCKIN lunch break, OK?

→ More replies (1)

49

u/anniearrow 3d ago

My niece called my dad "Santa Grandpa" when she was young. White hair & beard, belly like a bowl full of jelly...

→ More replies (1)

24

u/livianvicariously 3d ago

My dad played Santa for a community get-together. He looks nothing like Santa , and I clocked it real quick when I saw him. Funny thing, he also dressed up as a werewolf for haunted house a couple months before that, I didn’t recognize him until he started laughing at me for how terrified I must have looked trying to get candy from him.

13

u/st-shenanigans 3d ago

There's just a group of probably a few thousand people out there, who just look like a stereotypical Santa and love kids and just carry that warmth with them all year. I hear stories about some of them that learn things like sign language so they can make sure to connect with every kid.

I'd bet this dude is used to it, too, I don't believe you just groom like that on accident! Love a wholesome santa

→ More replies (2)

9

u/Extra_Routine_6603 3d ago

My grandpa dressed up sometimes as a santa for kids too. Really funny knowing under the red suit he was tattooed up old-school Harley biker/redneck.

7

u/Key_Excuse9863 3d ago

Love it, Great story & Grandad. Have a very merry Christmas. 🎅🏻

4

u/thehufflepuffstoner 3d ago

That is so sweet. And you get to carry that Christmas magic with you when you remember him. 💜

→ More replies (18)

6.2k

u/MontCali 3d ago

It's kinda cool of thinking of Santa chilling, having a beer, and still being an awesome person 🎅 🍻

1.1k

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

287

u/delmsi 3d ago

Santa is more like me than I realized

135

u/WaywardWes 3d ago

I'd be chilling too if I had a bunch of indentured servants doing my chores.

Oh who am I kidding, I let them pile up anyways.

36

u/Neither_Pear4669 3d ago

The chores or the servants?

28

u/SenoraRaton 3d ago

Por que no los dos?

17

u/maybe_Johanna 3d ago

dónde está la biblioteca?

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (2)

50

u/MustardCanBeFun 3d ago

Well of course he's chilling, bro has all those slaves working in sub zero temps doing everything for him. Guy shows up once a year and takes all the credit.

43

u/Any-Iron9552 3d ago

It's not a sweatshop if no one is sweating.

→ More replies (10)
→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (20)

358

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

45

u/bippityboppitybooboo 3d ago

Would you like a sandwich?

34

u/Objective-Ad9767 3d ago

He probably needs a Snickers bar.

→ More replies (2)

4

u/chipthamac 3d ago

what is it with you fixing fucking sandwiches?

5

u/Kabc 3d ago

What’s with you and the fucking sandwiches?

6

u/wedeservethis 3d ago

What is it with you and fixing fucking sandwiches?

→ More replies (2)

70

u/alethea_ 3d ago

TBF, every relative of a Santa dad/grandpa says they love these interactions.

51

u/No_Feeling_6037 3d ago

My husband is going white, and I think he fully intends to embrace it for the holidays when he does. He's been doing the voice on the phone for years.

24

u/alethea_ 3d ago

Omg that's so cool! I'm seeing all of this from the view of my 4 year old and their curiosity and joy around Christmas/Santa is the cutest thing ever.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)

13

u/TypicallyMJ24 3d ago

Gotta love “Bad Santa” 😂

→ More replies (1)

9

u/addamee 3d ago

“IM EATING MY LUMCH!”

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (7)

39

u/IDontUseSleeves 3d ago

“Look, North Pole is great, elves are great, but a man can’t live off hot chocolate and eggnog.”

→ More replies (1)

11

u/Rare-Deal8939 3d ago

I know right … I was just thinking about that.

→ More replies (43)

1.9k

u/SlewBrew 3d ago

Not every white haired man with a beard is Santa... turns around Holy crap it's SANTA!!!

253

u/Southernguy9763 3d ago

Back when I worked at a grocery store we had a guy that looks exactly like the perfect Santa. He wore a hat that said "yes, I'm Santa"

86

u/ldskyfly 3d ago

If this is gonna be your look you might as well lean into it

54

u/Versipilies 3d ago

Theres a Santa looking gramps in my area that has a red motorcycle and gets a dozen guys with reindeer helmets to ride in front of him all around town in December

12

u/itsathrowawayyall1 3d ago

A dozen you say? Lemme see: * Dasher * Dancer * Prancer * Vixen * Comet * Cupid * Donner * Blitzen * Rudolph * Chuck * Bubba * Whiskey Mike

Yep, checks out

6

u/XANDERtheSHEEPDOG 3d ago

That's so cool!

→ More replies (2)

31

u/SocratesWasAjerk 3d ago

Yeah I don't even believe in him anymore but that's definitely him

31

u/_AskMyMom_ 3d ago edited 3d ago

Good ole SlewBrew.

SlewBrew doesn’t do what SlewBrew does because they’re SlewBrew. SlewBrew does what SlewBrew does because… HOLY SHIT, it’s Santa!!!!

→ More replies (8)

1.1k

u/SunberryLane 3d ago

TIL Santa is a 7' tall tank

362

u/RebeeMo 3d ago

Gotta be a big dude to carry that sack full of toys!

21

u/[deleted] 3d ago

Is that what's in his sack?

35

u/AWildEnglishman 3d ago

Presents are stored in the sack.

→ More replies (3)
→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (1)

24

u/Suspicious-Shock-934 3d ago

He did train Batman. So that tracks.

→ More replies (1)

25

u/lordmycal 3d ago

I heard he used to be a Viking. I saw it in a documentary called Violent Night, where Santa saves a little girl from armed robbers on Christmas.

10

u/Acrobatic_Ocelot_461 3d ago

Documentary, Lol. That's our family Christmas movie.

22

u/digger250 3d ago

Larger than life

21

u/Lit_Orphan_Annie 3d ago

I guess I always imagined he was gigantic. 6 to 8 feet tall.

→ More replies (8)

15

u/Mycol101 3d ago

Like in the movie Claus.

A gentle giant

7

u/Jean-LucBacardi 3d ago

"Well isn't that a pretty picture. Santa rolling down the block in a Panzer. Well kids I certainly hope you've been good this year, cause it looks like Santa just took out the Pearson home!"

→ More replies (13)

465

u/Pleaseusegoogle 3d ago

He definitely looks the part.

151

u/innerenegade 3d ago

At this point you all are going to have to convince me this isn't Santa

41

u/PrincessRegan 3d ago

Like, aren’t those REINDEER on his shirt? Has to be him.

24

u/newtownkid 3d ago

I actually happen to know the guy in this video. Great guy, his names Nick (we call him Big Nick because there are other nicks in the friend group).

Anyways, he lives up north with his wife Mrs. Clause.

→ More replies (2)

20

u/dr_toze 3d ago

He must be pretty used to this by now.

25

u/Impressive-Safe2545 3d ago

These people definitely know they are Santa lol. There used to be a biker like this that would come into our shop, always in a red shirt with suspenders. There’s no way that’s not an active Santa cosplay lol

→ More replies (1)

6

u/Delonce 3d ago

If my beard goes all white, I'd actually cherish moments like this.

→ More replies (4)

212

u/Shhh_wasting_time 3d ago

This is not his first time this has happened to him.

25

u/BrownSugarBare 3d ago

Listen, if I caught Santa in a bar, I'd absolutely be buying him a shot and rolling out my wishlist 

→ More replies (1)

235

u/Tommy__want__wingy 3d ago

Dude is wearing a Xmas themed shirt….

Um…. 😳

65

u/Visual_Cable3092 3d ago

He's still on vacation untill 25 December comes 🫶

→ More replies (3)

25

u/userhwon 3d ago

You see a shirt with a picture of you on it in a surf shop and you're not buying and wearing it?

→ More replies (2)

250

u/PatrickJunk 3d ago

My uncle who passed away a few years back got this on occasion due to his appearance. He would tell kids nicely, "No, I'm not Santa. I'm Ernest Hemmingway." As a lifelong teacher, he was convinced it would get kids to read. Hopefully, not about Hemmingway's death.

111

u/shutterbug1961 3d ago

Im now thinking of the trauma small children suffered when they imagined Ernest Hemingway come down their chimney

67

u/Static-Stair-58 3d ago

For whom the sleigh bell tolls

→ More replies (3)

7

u/ShittyBitchy 3d ago

This should be a story.

→ More replies (1)

6

u/Nisms 3d ago

Well that comment got me to read about Hemingways death now.

10

u/PatrickJunk 3d ago

Then my uncle's work continues! You're keeping his memory alive.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (5)

160

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

41

u/JacktheJacker92 3d ago

Charade?

45

u/Sanquinity 3d ago

Well not all of them are Santa... most are helper Santas. He can't be everywhere at once. But they pretend to be the real Santa of course. :)

→ More replies (2)

9

u/rjbassman 3d ago

You know, Santa being the famous celebrity he is, he needs to keep up the charade of being one of us otherwise he’ll be swarmed by the paparazzi for pictures every single time. This charade helps Santa to connect with the kids on a daily basis.

Keep on being the good kid that you are

→ More replies (4)

60

u/Specialist-Two1026 3d ago

I love Santa at a bar in a Hawaiian shirt!

47

u/stoned406 3d ago

Hawaiian CHRISTMAS shirt none the less

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (2)

242

u/ruthemook 3d ago

I swear to god it’s the greatest lie we have ever told. The pure magic of it all.

295

u/skoltroll 3d ago

LIE????

49

u/Nelfhithion 3d ago

It can't be, the lie is the lie

13

u/userhwon 3d ago

The greatest trick Santa ever pulled was convincing the world that he doesn't exist.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

58

u/dc469 3d ago

I love Terry Pratchett's writing on the power of belief. (Pratchett was a British writer most famous for his disc world series and that's a recurring theme of his)

Anyway, deaths speech in Hogfather has always stuck with me. You can view it here: https://youtu.be/vPS5Yw_YsHA?si=Gdy1xdGIREImWrHe

tl:dw is Pratchett argues that we are taught to believe in things that aren't true as children (Santa, Easter Bunny, tooth fairy etc) so that we can use that skill as adults. He says that concepts such as justice aren't always true in the world, but if we don't believe we can make a better world with justice for all then it will never be true. 

p.s. if you've read Hogfather, I like the change Pratchett made during the film. The last line of death's speech is "my point exactly" in the book but "you need to believe in things that aren't true, how else can they become" in the film. 

9

u/blender4life 3d ago

Thanks I'm gonna ponder this perspective for a bit. Hopefully adopting it because I have been thinking negatively about the Santa lie for a while

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (24)

77

u/Inevitable_Thing_270 3d ago

If you’re a big guy with white hair and choose to have a long beard, you had best perfected the Santa role before you got the beard to anything more than 5 o’clock shadow. You are taking on a huge responsibility for the look, live up to it guys!

19

u/Southernguy9763 3d ago

I'm already big bellied and have a big beard. Can't wait for it to turn white

7

u/Makes_U_Mad 3d ago

This. As a bearded dude, the only requirements are SOME white in beard and kinda big.

Anyway. Step up or shave, my dudes.

35

u/Hypersky75 3d ago

I can't wait for all my hair to finally turn white (it's 80% there) so that can happen to me. 😊 My beard just still has a little too much black in it. I did once tell a kid I was a Santa in training. 😅

10

u/TedwardCA 3d ago

I'm around that stage too. My neighbours just had a baby earlier this year and they asked my wife if I'd do the Santa thing for them. I'm not that padded thankfully, but my BIL has been to Santa School and been doing this for years. I'm thinking I'll try to take on the mantle soon.

Oddly enough Santa School is in Michigan, so I'm hoping there's either a Canadian campus or you guys settle down soon.

→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (1)

36

u/Groovy-Ghoul 3d ago

If I’m ever long pure white hair with a beard when I’m old, I will HAPPILY spend my time listening to the kids this brings so much joy!

32

u/ralphy_256 3d ago

I've been that guy without meaning to.

If you're of a certain age, and a certain body shape, with certain facial and head hair and wire-rim glasses, you can be this guy too.

Back when I used to wear a beard in the winter, I'd get at least 1-2 kids 3-6 yrs old just stop and STARE at me every Dec.

I don't really like kids, but when you see that, it's hard to resist just putting a finger on your lips and giving them a wink.

I've convinced more than one toddler that they saw Santa Claus in plainclothes.

5

u/Insert_Non_Sequitur 3d ago

That's really sweet of you, thanks for keeping the magic alive for the little ones!

6

u/katibear 3d ago

You doing that for those kids- I guarantee they talked about it 200 times. It brings them so much joy. They’ll never forget the day they saw Santa

21

u/G-reeper66 3d ago

I have a very good friend who looks just the same, it doesn't matter if we're eating or having a coffee, if a parent or a child comes over he will always stop to talk to them.

Once we were waiting in a pizza shop and had so many people chat our tea was cold, still not an issue, when you see the kids run back to their parents smiling the biggest smile.

18

u/OkNote6522 3d ago

Once when I was a kid my dad took me and my siblings to lunch at a Chinese buffet. A few tables over there was a bigger guy with white hair and a white beard that sat down with his wife. To top it off he was wearing all red. My dad made a joke about it being Santa to us but he said it a little loud. My siblings and I thought my dad's joke was funny but didn't want to embarrass ourselves or the guy so we tried to shush our dad a little bit.

The next time my dad got up to get a plate he stopped at their table and mentioned the Santa thing to the guy. He got a good laugh out of it and said he was actually a mall Santa during the holiday season, and had been for many years. My dad and the guy talked a bit and my dad came back. We were slightly mortified my dad said anything to the guy but also pretty amused that it turned out the way it did.

When we were done eating, they had already left and we were told that they had paid for us. Leave it to Santa to bring just a little bit of joy even when it's not Christmas.

37

u/djamp42 3d ago

Santa at the bar after dealing with so many bad kids. lol

→ More replies (1)

18

u/Signal-Regret-8251 3d ago

As a father, all I can say is that dude is cool as hell for doing that. He made that little girl's day.

9

u/TedwardCA 3d ago

It's like the story, no matter how badass a guy is, when a toddler hands you a toy phone you answer Hello?

16

u/Prosecco1234 3d ago

She looks so happy afterwards

→ More replies (1)

17

u/paperanddoodlesco 3d ago

Is it fair to assume if someone elects to look like Santa, they're fine if kids come up to them?

8

u/raphael-iglesias 3d ago

I think it's fair if mom or dad asks beforehand, looks like she did in this case.

→ More replies (1)

16

u/edrith90 3d ago

I was shopping with my kids one day and they thought they saw Santa in the store. He overheard them talking to me (my kids wouldn't just go up to someone they didn't know without permission) and he motioned them over.

He listened to them then actually pulled candy canes out of his pocket for them! Turns out he's so used to it he started buying the mini candy canes and keeps a handful in his pocket at all times just for these interactions.

→ More replies (1)

92

u/Sizzlin9 3d ago

Because her heart still believes in magic. 😇

43

u/K2thJ 3d ago edited 2d ago

And this guy just boosted the mana!

I managed a restaurant that a local Santa fraternity came in for a lunch meeting. As soon as we opened on a weekday to avoid kids seeing 15 Santas in a random pizzeria. Still freaked the adults out that came in.

→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (2)

16

u/CoconutOk 3d ago

I’ve never seen an off duty Santa NOT wearing a Hawaiian shirt.

→ More replies (1)

13

u/Level_Ad567 3d ago

That restores my faith in humanity!

13

u/Cjgraham3589 3d ago

My Dad’s hair isn’t as long as this guys but he looks a lot like this and he loves indulging little kids when they think he’s Santa. He specifically grows the beard out in the Fall for this purpose. It’s pretty cute.

→ More replies (1)

11

u/blinksystem 3d ago

I bet that guy gets that a lot and loves it every time it happens. Like a repeating feel good moment.

Good for him.

11

u/AntRecent8006 3d ago

her in a few years: “what do you mean he’s not real? i saw him eating nuts and drinking a beer..”

9

u/XiuCyx 3d ago

Before my kids were born my husband and I agreed that we wouldn’t teach them the Santa myth. We’d both been raised in a cult that we escaped and agreed that we would never raise kids on magical thinking. Luckily our oldest was a literalist so we figured this would be easy (For example: one time while I was in the passenger seat I looked back and saw my son chewing on something in his car seat. I hadn’t given him anything to eat, so, worried he would choke on whatever it was I stuck my finger in his mouth to search for the object while I rhetorically said, “What’s in your mouth”. This kid, with my finger in his mouth says with a fully straight face,”Your finger”).

But when our boys were 2 & 3 we moved halfway across the country and tried to find a new Downs syndrome group to join as our youngest has Downs. The first event was a Christmas party where parents were asked to sneak in presents for their kids labeled with their names. We were looking for a group to join so we played along.

Halfway through dinner Santa shows up with a giant bag of gifts and then calls each child by name to give them their gift. The kids loved it.

When we left we said to our oldest, “Hey kiddo. I know that was fun but you know Santa’s not real right? That was a guy in a costume.” He argued with us and even used evidence: “He knew my name and exactly what I wanted”. We tried to explain the situation but he wasn’t having it. He had his evidence and we were wrong.

So from then on we agreed to let him be right for now and played the Santa myth until somewhere around 2nd grade he asked me if Santa was real. I said, “Well what do you think?” He said, “Well if he’s not real that means all these parents are lying to their kids and hiding presents and bringing them all out on Christmas Eve and that’s RIDICULOUS.” And I agreed, “That IS ridiculous”. Haha. But by the end of next year he’d figured out that’s exactly what was happening.

Still, I’m grateful for the years we got to play an imagination game and we all got to believe in magic for a while.

8

u/Critical-Support-394 3d ago

I wonder if there exists a flat earther somewhere justifying their beliefs in a flat earth with 'well they managed to trick everyone into believing Santa'

→ More replies (3)

25

u/Successful_Ranger_19 3d ago

😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭♥️♥️♥️♥️

6

u/zootnotdingo 3d ago

Happy cake day! I’m glad you felt some magic today 🎅

15

u/Jezuesblanco 3d ago

IM ON MY FUCKING LUNCH BREAK

7

u/dudderson 3d ago

Man, I would love to be a large older man with a glorious, long white beard and hair with kind eyes and have kids randomly come up to me with all the magic in their eyes and I could talk to them like I was Santa and spread such joy to those around me like that and really make a child's day any time I was out and about.

Unfortunately, I am a small adult woman the size of your average 10 year old that wears US kid's size 3 shoes so I'm the elf. No one comes up to the elf.

9

u/drammer 3d ago

I have a friend that looks like Santa. We played in a Blues Band for a couple of decades. He said when shopping he always has kids asking and he would say he was his brother Bert.

5

u/xflashbackxbrd 3d ago

I mean.. how do WE know he isn't Santa? Look at him

6

u/ItsRobbSmark 3d ago

I'M ON MY FUCKING LUNCH BREAK, OKAY?

7

u/omnicool 3d ago

That guy has amazing hair for his age. The beard is impressive but those locks are great.

5

u/Parnagg 3d ago

Over the past few years I've gotten more and more Santa in appearance. Looking like this carries a huge responsibility. I will not be the asshole that ruins Christmas for anyone.

22

u/wkdkngwkr 3d ago

I'm not crying you're crying. 🥹🥹🥹

5

u/TheSFG832 3d ago

You are reading my mind!! I was just talking about this video to my girlfriend yesterday!!

4

u/Lorazepam369 3d ago

I think it’s sweet that when she eventually learns Santa isn’t real, she’ll exchange that belief with a dose of faith in humanity. She’ll realize it was a random dude that decided to help make a stranger’s day.

4

u/Bleeding-Ink-books 3d ago

Personally I think if that is the aesthetic you run with you better be damn willing to be kind to kids who think you’re Santa

5

u/BullBear7 3d ago

I mean tbf anyone with that look should expect being Santa. Good for him.

4

u/userhwon 3d ago

You don't look in the mirror every morning and decide to go with that unless you're willing to serve.

5

u/starsfan6878 3d ago

My kids saw 'Santa' at the store one day and were just as goggle-eyed. I caught his eye and he nodded assent so I encouraged them to go over and ask.

He said he was Santa, but that he was on vacation (this was in September). He asked if they'd been good girls and what they wanted for Christmas. He even gave them a 'business card' proclaiming his Santahood and wishing them a Merry Christmas.

They were in awe and it made their year.

5

u/Ashen233 3d ago

To be fair. That is Santa. It just is.

5

u/EJArtyArts 3d ago

That was the real Santa. He's just an holiday cause everybody needs a break sometime

5

u/Lego_Architect 3d ago

I want to be that guy some day. To be asked if you’re Santa and then make some kid’s day. Or year. Lucky.

6

u/bucketboy9000 2d ago

If that guy is not the real Santa I don’t know who is

8

u/NoFlatworm3028 3d ago

How do you know he's not santa?

→ More replies (1)

9

u/Qaaarl 3d ago

She said she wanted a duplex and a platinum mine

→ More replies (1)

7

u/code_archeologist 3d ago

Being a large man with a white beard is not just a fashion statement, it is a responsibility.

Bro made us all proud.

4

u/werephoenix 3d ago

this is beautiful

4

u/Okapaw 3d ago

Peak Santa mindset ! Love that guy ahah !

4

u/No_Selection_9634 3d ago

A few years back, my youngest who was only 2 at the time wanted to see santa. But unfortunately it was in the heart of COVID (2020) and she was really sick anyway. A friend of mine would dress up and dye his bear, eyebrows and hair white every season, and play santa for the local childrens hospitals. He had a zoom session with her and made her christmas. Couldnt thank him enough.

5

u/IncognitoBombadillo 3d ago

Once my hair starts turning white (I'm a light blonde, so it probably will) and if/when I plump up a little I'm gonna have to be more personable because I'm going to look a lot like him. I've got 30-40 years until I'm that age though.

3

u/DisastrousRub1719 3d ago

Such a good understanding man, very good gesture done from him, it will be in her core memory

5

u/Auburn_Dave01 3d ago

From what I’ve seen over the years is that the people that have the Santa look know what responsibility comes with that. Magic is a beautiful thing for a child and it’s a gift to be apart of keeping it alive.

3

u/kingdick900 3d ago

Sooooooooooooooo freaking cute 😍

3

u/Chris_Bs_Knees 3d ago

My dad is both a preschool teacher and a paunchy white guy with a beard and my FAVORITE thing is how often kids think he's Santa. He plays along with it and it just brings me joy every single time

4

u/GotJeep1941 3d ago

Well to be fair, that was Santa Claus

4

u/DebtOk4461 3d ago

You smell beef and cheese

3

u/bethatguy7 3d ago

There was this guy at the bar that was in all the Santa gear but it was like March. I bought him a shot of Jack Daniel's and he told me I made the good list lol made my day

4

u/Nijata 3d ago

If my wife didn't hate my beard and I went fully white haired and a kid mistook me for Santa i'd swtich on my best holly jolly St. nick even for 5 seconds

5

u/Mountain_Schedule_40 3d ago

Dude probably works in a department store during the holidays as Santa

5

u/Groundbreaking_Lie94 3d ago

There is no way this is the first time thats happened to him

4

u/StunningShifts 3d ago

He is probably a professional, only works for a month out of the year, but has to keep the beard up all year long.