Wed, 17 Dec 2025

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 Pay freeze for Father Christmas but elves fare better

Some seasonal workers have seen pay rises this year but Santas may have to tighten their belts.
Average pay for Father Christmases has remained steady at £15 per hour, while elves' wages have increased slightly from £11.60 to £12.48 an hour. Pay rates vary across different venues, ranging from the minimum wage of £12.21 to a high of £27.59 per hour. Some employers, such as Dobbies, are offering higher pay for experienced Santas, up to £20 per hour, while starter Santas can earn £17 per hour. The most common requirements for the Father Christmas role include patience, improvisation skills, and tolerance for repetition, with this year's top toy requests being Hot Wheels, slime, Transformers, and unicorns. Elves are often required to be on their feet for long periods in fancy dress or as forest creatures, and some employers are seeking applicants with a love of Christmas and knowledge of Christmas lore. The stagnant pay rates have been met with mixed reactions, with Sir Keir Starmer calling it a "major victory" but others noting that the UK's job market is subdued.
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