Wed, December 24, 2008
Father Christmases and angels brush up their skills on bringing Christmas joy to children at a Santa school in Berlin.
German parents can rent a Santa to visit their children on Christmas Eve. But before the Santas and angels visit the children, they've been brushing up on how to behave in costume.
Sometimes even that festive feeling needs working on.
And here at this Berlin Santa school - father Christmases and angels are learning how to bring joy to children on Christmas Eve.
This annual Santa convention gives around 100 hopefuls tips on how to behave when in costume - smoking is definitely a no no.
For several years, parents across Germany have used student associations to hire a visit from Santa on 24th December, when Germans traditionally celebrate.
Bernd Flach has been playing Santa for four years.
SOUNDBITE: Bernd Flach, hireable Santa, saying (German):
"It's a very nice feeling to be able to meet the children and their families. It's a lot of fun looking into their eyes and present them with gifts."
Others say they were born to entertain this way:
SOUNDBITE: Petra Henkert, Hireable angel, saying (German):
"It's something in you. You just know you want to be a Santa or an angel."
Hiring a santa costs 29 euros, or around 37 dollars in Berlin, and 54 euros for those living in more remote places in Germany.
But these Santas would say that's a small price to pay for some Christmas cheer.
