Pauline, I just went to the local shopping mall one September, found the management office, asked about the job, and was directed to the photography studio (located in the same mall) who had the Santa-Claus contract.

The trick is to think about it, and apply, early enough. For several previous years, I would start thinking about how much I would like such a job only when I saw someone already decked out in a Santa costume at the ungodly-early date of a week before Thanksgiving. By then, it was always too late to get a job for the current year.

I had no trouble getting the job when I fianlly applied at an earlyh-enough date, largely because I was a 245-pound white male over 50 years old, with an appropriately jolly disposition and no visibly missing teeth.

I'm still male, but after a bout with throat cancer, I weigh in at a mere 185 and have lost a couple of front teeth. I didn't work as Santa last year, and I'm not sure I'll be able to get the job back. New false front teeth are an absolute must, since the job consists basically of smiling for the camera. I can probably work around the weight loss with padding ~ in all areas of my life except for portraying St. Nick, the new slim figure is a plus, so I'd rather not gain all that weight back (even if I could).

Keep in mind that playing Santa is not typically a full-time career. I kept my day job throughout the Christmas season each year that I worked as Santa, putting in 20-24 weeks at the mall on evenings and weekends.

However, I understand that a number of well-established Santas earn as much as 30 grand per season, enough to live all year (especially when also collecting Social Security). These guys are typically the only Santa at their pace of employment ~ I've been one of three at my Santa job ~ working 60-80 hours per week for the 6 or 7 week season, and traveling far from home to live in a motel room for the duration. I would love to have such a job, and before my illness I figured I could make it happen by the time I reached retirement age. Now I'm not so sure...

If you're serious about applying, by the way, the first step will probably have to be a sex change (grin).