Santa Shortage Presenting Malls With Big Pre-Christmas Headache

Larry Propp, owner of PWA Santa Agency, has been a professional Kris Kringle for the past 18 years. Here, he appears waving at a recent event. PWA Santa Agency photo

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, but it’s not easy believing in a “Higher Elf” when he’s so hard to find.

Professional “Santa” staffing agencies report the market for mall and private Santas is running hot this holiday season because of fewer people wanting to be the bearded man in red.