Santa Claus Costume: How to Choose One That Makes Children Believe

A child looks at Santa Claus from very close up, often sitting on his lap. From that distance everything is visible: the elastic of the beard behind the ear, sneakers under the red trousers, the familiar uncle’s watch on the wrist. That is why a Santa costume is chosen not just to be “red”, but to withstand that gaze. Every December we pack Santa orders and see the same mistakes, so we have listed what is worth checking before buying.

Cheaper and professional Santa costume: how they differ

Our Santa costumes cost from 32,90 € to 86 €. The price reflects more than just the fabric. The main difference is what comes in the package and what you will have to buy separately.

The cheapest option suits a single evening: the belly is already sewn in, the beard is attached to the hat, and you can dress in a few minutes. Those who want a fuller beard will need to buy one separately. The classic costume at 42,70 € is described as light and comfortable to wear. In a stuffy hall that is an advantage, but the beard, gloves and other accessories will have to be ordered separately. The elegant costume at 54,90 € is the only one that comes with gloves, but at the time of writing only size M was left in the warehouse.

Those who will go through several kindergartens or company events in December most often choose the professional Santa costume. Its description says it is suitable for repeated wear, and the boot covers hide everyday shoes. Last season, buyers most often chose the professional costumes out of all the Santa costumes.

If you want to get everything at once, look at the professional Santa costume with accessories. Assembling a similar set from separate items (costume, professional beard with wig, glasses and bag) would come to about 112 €. The downside: this set is made only in L/XL and XXL/XXXL sizes, so a slim man who fits S/M will have to take the costume without accessories and buy them separately. One more detail: the white gloves and bell visible in the photo of this set are not included.

What children notice first

Children rarely judge the fabric quality. They look at the face, the hands and the feet, and they catch the voice with their ears. Here are the details that most often give the game away:

• Beard and hair. Seen from the side, dark hair sticking out from under the hat ruins the whole look. The professional Santa beard (24,90 €) is sold together with a wig, so white hair shows under the hat too. A cheaper route is the white beard with moustache and eyebrows for 8,90 €. The eyebrows are not a minor detail: dark eyebrows above a white beard catch the eye even of the smallest children.
• Hands. A wedding ring, a tattoo or a watch tells a child more than any beard. White gloves cost 5,99 € and come in two sizes: S/M/L and XL. For larger hands, take XL.
• Shoes. Sneakers under red trousers give it away immediately. The professional and elegant costumes have separate boot covers, the cheapest one has them sewn to the trousers, and the classic one at 42,70 € has none, so you will need to arrange black shoes.
• Voice. Children recognise a familiar dad or uncle by voice faster than by face. Speak more slowly and lower than usual, and save the famous “ho ho ho” for the entrance. Repeated every minute, it sounds like acting.
• Bag. Presents taken out of a supermarket carrier bag ruin the effect. The Santa gift bag is 60 x 100 cm, red, in imitation velvet, with white edging and pompoms for tying. If there are many large gifts, leave some with the teacher behind the door and bring them in a second trip.
• Bell. A metal 13 cm bell with a plastic handle costs 4,50 €, and last winter it was our best-selling Santa accessory. Ring it outside the door before you go in: children hear Santa first and only then see him.

Before the event, ask the parents or teachers for the names of a few children and one specific thing about each of them. “I heard you learned to tie your shoelaces yourself this year” will convince better than any beard.

Adult size: measure the chest, not the letter

Most of our Santa costumes are made by the Italian manufacturer Widmann, and its sizes are often smaller than usual. So go by chest measurement in centimetres, not by the letter on your everyday shirt. Approximate chest measurements according to the manufacturer’s chart:

• S – 94-100 cm
• M – 98-104 cm
• L – 102-108 cm
• XL – 108-114 cm
• XXL – 116-122 cm
• XXXL – 124-130 cm

Measure at the widest part of the chest and think immediately about what will be under the jacket. If Santa is going to the outdoor Christmas tree lighting, there will be a thick jumper underneath, and many people also add a cushion for the belly. Both add centimetres, so if you are torn between two sizes, choose the larger one. When trying on, raise your arm as if you were ringing the bell: if the sleeve slides up to the elbow, your shirt will show.

Buy or rent: a simple calculation

Renting in Lithuania usually costs 20-50 € per evening, plus a deposit. You have to pick up the costume and return it the next day, and in mid-December the most popular sizes may simply be gone. And one more thing that is rarely mentioned: the rented beard has already been on many other faces before yours.

The cheapest bought costume costs as much as one or two rental evenings. The professional set with accessories pays for itself after two to five evenings of rental. Renting makes sense if you need Santa once and there is no room at home for a box. If Santa goes every year, your own costume is cheaper, and you choose the glove and beard sizes yourself.

Care and storage between seasons

A well-kept costume serves for more than one December. After the holiday:

1. Clean the costume only according to the label instructions. Before that, unfasten the belt and take off the boot covers.
2. Comb the beard and wig with a wide-toothed comb, starting from the ends. If you washed them, dry them in the air, away from the radiator.
3. Shake out the white trim and do not iron it: a hot iron makes the artificial fur clump.
4. Keep the beard in a separate fabric bag so that it does not tangle and collect dust.
5. Open the box with the whole set in November, not on 23 December. That way you will still have time to buy a lost glove.

When to order so it arrives in time

We keep all products in our own warehouse in Lithuania, and a parcel to an LP parcel locker takes 1-2 working days. Delivery to an LP parcel locker costs 2,99 €, and orders of 49 € and more have free delivery, so the professional costume arrives without a shipping fee. The problem is that parcel lockers are overfull in December, and parcels may be delayed in the last week before Christmas. We advise ordering in November: there will be time to try it on, and if the size does not fit, you can return the unused item within 14 days. All conditions are described on the delivery page.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a Santa costume for children?

At the moment we only have Santa costumes in adult sizes. For kindergarten Christmas trees, children most often choose gnome and elf costumes for children, and last season the gnome costume was one of the best-sellers.

What size should I choose if I will wear the costume over a jumper?

Measure your chest with the jumper on and compare it with the manufacturer’s chart. If you fall between two sizes, take the larger one.

How much does the whole Santa set cost?

The professional costume with beard, glasses and bag costs 86 €. Adding gloves and a bell, it comes to about 96 €.

Can I return a costume that does not fit?

Yes, an unused item in its original packaging can be returned within 14 days of receipt. So try it on right away, not just before the holiday. More details in the returns conditions.

If Santa has already agreed to come, all that is left is to choose his outfit. You will find all Santa costumes and accessories in one place, and separate beards, moustaches and wigs in the beards and moustaches category. Order now, while the parcel lockers still have space.