As December 2025 sweeps across the United Kingdom, the spirit of Christmas is alive and well—but behind the twinkling lights and bustling markets, parents and seasonal workers alike are navigating a festive landscape that’s both joyful and, at times, overwhelming. Hundreds of tourist and retail venues are decked out for the holidays, hosting everything from winter wonderland trails to the much-anticipated visits with Father Christmas. Yet, as families flock to these events, there’s a growing awareness of the challenges—and the realities—of making Christmas magical for children and the adults who bring it to life.
For those donning the iconic red suit, the 2025 season brings a familiar refrain: wages for Father Christmas roles have remained flat, with the average pay holding steady at £15 per hour, according to Incomes Data Research (IDR). That’s the same rate as last Christmas, despite the rising cost of living and the increased demand for Santas at garden centres, stately homes, and farm parks across the country. The requirements for these roles remain exacting—experience working with children, a stocky build, and, ideally, a big white beard are all advantages. But financial rewards haven’t kept pace with expectations.
Pay for Santas varies dramatically depending on the venue. Some are paid at the minimum wage of £12.21 an hour, while a lucky few can earn up to £27.59 per hour at more extravagant events, such as those held at castles or stately homes. Dobbies, a well-known garden centre chain, offers £17 an hour for first-time Santas and £20 for those with experience. But for many, the reality is a modest income for a job that demands patience, improvisation, and a strong constitution—particularly given the hacking coughs and runny noses that mark this year’s especially bad flu season.
While Father Christmas is typically stationed indoors and seated, elves—those tireless ushers of holiday cheer—often have it tougher. Their average pay has seen a modest bump, rising to £12.48 per hour from £11.60 last year. But the job’s demands are high: elves spend long hours on their feet, sometimes outdoors in elaborate costumes, and must keep the festive spirit alive for children waiting in long queues. Some venues get creative with their requirements; one ad for a Head Elf at Santa’s Secret Forest in Liverpool asked for “knowledge of Christmas lore (North Pole geography, elf hierarchy and reindeer etiquette).”
The work is not without its rewards. According to IDR, gift requests from children in 2025 are as imaginative as ever, with Hot Wheels, slime, Transformers, and unicorns topping the wish lists. But while the magic is real, so too are the pressures—on both sides of the grotto.
For parents, the festive season is a marathon of nativity plays, present shopping, and orchestrating family feasts. The BBC highlights how the sensory overload of Christmas—crowds, queues, and the endless swirl of activities—can push children to their limits. Meltdowns are common, adding to the stress for parents already stretched thin. “My children love the thought of Christmas,” shares comedian and father of three George Lewis, “but the disruption in routine can make December a real inner conflict for them.”
Parenting and child behaviour specialist San Mehra agrees, explaining that the combination of high excitement and unpredictability is the perfect recipe for what she calls “Christmas overwhelm.” She notes, “Chaos all day is hard for kids to cope with. If one part of the routine changes, it’s manageable but if everything changes, overwhelm builds quickly.”
So, what’s a parent to do? Experts and experienced parents alike are turning to a handful of strategies to keep the season merry rather than manic. First, sticking to some semblance of routine—keeping wake-ups, mealtimes, and bedtimes consistent—can help children feel grounded. Mehra recommends marking events on a calendar and having open conversations about what’s coming up, especially for children who are anxious about change. “If you’ve got a child who’s got anxiety around change you can have conversations around that and talk about any worries,” she says.
Second, building your own traditions can be transformative. Lewis describes how his family, which includes two children with autism, has shifted away from the “movie-style Christmas” he once envisioned. “I always had this version of the perfect Christmas in my head,” he recalls. “But when my son spent an entire family gathering standing alone at the end of the garden, I thought: if this isn’t for him, then who is it for?” Now, the Lewis family opts for comfort and predictability: they stay at home, keep gatherings small, and spread out activities. Perhaps their most radical change? They’ve stopped having Christmas dinner on the 25th, cooking it instead on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day, and spending Christmas Day itself playing with the kids and ordering a curry.
Even with careful planning, festive outings can still tip into overload. Mehra suggests that when a meltdown hits, parents should first check in with themselves. “Your first instinct is panic and you might feel embarrassed or stressed and that’s okay,” she says. The key is to get calm, then get on the child’s level and acknowledge their feelings. A simple, empathetic statement—“You’ve been waiting for ages, haven’t you? You’re probably fed up right now”—can go a long way. “If you can name what they are feeling, like frustration or boredom, it will reduce the intensity by 50%,” Mehra explains. Lewis’s family often chooses SEND-friendly sessions with reduced noise and fewer people, making the experience enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
The fourth strategy is teaching children to navigate conflict—a skill that’s put to the test as siblings and cousins, often out of their usual routines, clash over presents or attention. Mehra advises parents not to jump in immediately but to guide children through resolving disputes: separate them, ask if they want help or to sort it out themselves, set clear rules for listening and empathy, and brainstorm solutions together. Over time, she says, children will start to handle conflicts on their own using these methods.
As the UK’s Santas and elves prepare for another busy week, and families count down the days to Christmas, it’s clear that a little planning—and a lot of patience—can make all the difference. Whether it’s sticking to routines, inventing new traditions, or simply acknowledging that Christmas isn’t always picture-perfect, the goal remains the same: creating moments of joy that everyone, young and old, can cherish.
