Every year, Santa enlists helpers all around the country to meet children and spread Christmas cheer. But Santa doesn’t just send them out untrained. Oh, no-ho-ho. Instead, he sends them to Santa school. After all, how else will they learn shake like a bowl full of jelly?
Knowing his secret, we decided to look back in time to see how these schools were run in the past. And what we dug up from 1961…well, it’s just plain awesome.
Looking back to 1961 in Albion, New York, we found photos from the real Santa school.
share
Established in 1937, the Charles Howard’s Santa Claus School still exists today, although now operating out of Michigan, and proudly claims the title of the world’s oldest Santa School.
share
Back then, signing up for the five day course cost about $75.
share
If you successfully completed the course, you received a Santa certificate that enabled you to get jobs at local department stores.
share
The training was vigorous.
share
And certainly tested their mettle.
share
But who couldn’t love all this Christmas cheer?
share
Or proper beard training?
share
…with results this magical.
share
Merry Christmas, Santa Helper.
share
(via Messy Nessy Chic)
The certificate you received was itself, perfect. It read:
This certifies that …. has honorably and diligently completed the course in the study and art of Santa Claus, and is now ready to carry on as a Helper of Santa Claus.
As holder of this diploma, I fully realize the responsibility and privilege that is mine in spreading joy and happiness to the children of this world through their beloved friend and servant, Santa Claus.
I hereby sincerely and solemnly promise to give my best, my all to carry out the principles Santa Claus stands for.
As Santa’s helper, you really are responsible for affecting the lives of hundreds of children. That’s why we’re hopefully today’s Helpers get just as much schooling.
