To many, the appearance of Santa in malls and in stores means that Christmas is coming. Children anticipate the coming of the season and Santa is a symbol of their very childhood happiness. Sure, Santa isn't the reason the holiday exists. Nevertheless, he is still an integral part of the celebrations, especially in the United States.

There are a few reasons why you could need Santa costumes. Perhaps you are a store or mall who is looking to hire a Santa Claus or two to help attract more customers, or to simply make the kids happy. Maybe you are throwing a party and want Santa to make an appearance. Or perhaps you are holding a holiday costume party and need the Santa costumes for some of your guests.

Each of these cases may require different Santa costumes. For example, if a child wants to dress up as Santa, then the costume will be smaller and have less fabric. If a female wants to dress up as 'Santa' it will be made differently than costumes designed for men.

Finding Santa Costumes

You can find a Santa suit in lots of different places. Department stores and malls that use Santa actors will tend to provide their employee with the costume. Santa costumes can be rented, but doing so close to Christmas time could be difficult, since demand is high. For that reason, it's a good idea to reserve your costume before the holiday rush. As Christmas approaches, many department stores sell Santa Claus costumes with their other holiday decorations.

Making Santa Costumes

If you would prefer, you can always make a Santa costume at home instead of purchasing or renting one. When you need a costume for women or children or you need to make some special alterations, making a costume yourself could actually be a better option. Some people also choose to make their own Santa suit if they are going to a party and want to wear a costume with less fabric

Playing the Part

Once you find your costume, you will need to get into character. Think about what Santa is and isn't. He's nice, jolly, and filled with joy. He isn't mean or cranky. If you are going to be interacting with children, it is especially important to remember this.