Cape Town - Movember is the ideal time for aspirant Father Christmases to grow their five-o-clock shadows into something more befitting the fabled fat guy in the red suit.
But additional facial hair is only one part of the job, says Jan le Sueur, 69, a veteran of eight Christmases. Personality is what makes his Father Christmas go a long way. That, and the ability to hold the attention of babies as young as 4 days old and grannies looking to bag the man with a white beard.
His North Pole home this month is the retail behemoth that is Canal Walk. And he, or what he represents, continues to pack them in.
Mall-goers young and old, pause to give Le Sueur a quick festive wave or smile. “I become Father Christmas for the joy it brings. Most people don’t pass by without stopping and smiling at me. Seeing me makes them happy.”
Le Sueur explains that for the role not only does one have to have an ability to grow a bushy moustache, but good people skills are a necessity.
“Sometimes you get happy children and sometimes the younger ones are scared off by the costume and moustache that they start crying. You have to be very patient and wait for the child to calm down… after all, the picture is a special memory that they will cherish for a long time,” he said.
Although there are moments where Le Sueur wishes he was at the beach with his family enjoying the summer sun instead of sitting for eight hours waving and smiling in a busy mall, he says he is not hanging up his red suit anytime soon.
“Sometimes my arm hurts from waving all day. And although my wife says I can be grumpy at home, when I’m here I am my happy self,” he said.
Over the years, requests have been for quad bikes and a Barbie Doll. This year they have been mostly for game consoles.
“I’ve had a kid ask me for a real chainsaw and work bench and one who told me he was a freelance artist and asked for a spray can.”
Le Sueur sees about 10 families an hour.
“I sometimes get old ladies who tell me they are looking for a husband. They sit on my lap and don’t want to leave,” said Le Sueur.
“Most of all, I love being Father Christmas because I meet people from all over the world… it doesn’t matter where they some from, they relate to Father Christmas.”
Cape Argus