How Much Money Does Santa Have

Who Is The Real Santa
How Much Is Santa Worth
How Much Money Does The Real Santa Have In Heaven
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The real St. Nicholas lived a long time ago in a place called Asia Minor. It is now the country of Turkey. His family was Greek and his name was Nicholas.

Dec 13, 2018 The median hourly rate for a mall Santa is $30, but rates can be as low as $12 or as high as a whopping $75. That can add up to an annual take of around $7,000 to $10,000. And then there's.

Nicholas' parents died when he was a teenager. They left him a lot of money which made him a rich young man. Nicholas went to live with his uncle who was a priest.

Here's why: By age 64, your retirement nest egg (Sheltered + Taxable + Tax Free) will have grown to $192,938. As you start withdrawing $45,000 ($40,000 and $5,000 in today's dollars from Taxable and Tax Free sources respectively), your nest egg starts depleting.
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Nicholas heard about a man who had lost all his money. He had three daughters who were old enough to get married. But in those days young women had to have money in order to get married. This money was a "dowry" and it was used to help the new family get started. If you didn't have dowry money, you didn't get married.

This family was so poor they had nothing left to eat. The daughters were going to be sold as slaves because they couldn't live at home any longer. They were very sad. They wouldn't be able to have families of their own. And they would have to be slaves—no longer able to decide where they would live or what they would do.

The night before the oldest daughter was to be sold, she washed her stockings and put them in front of the fire to dry. Then all of them went to sleep—the father and the three daughters.

In the morning the daughter saw a lump in her stocking. Reaching in, she found a small, heavy bag. It had gold inside! Enough to provide food for the family and money for her dowry. Oh, how happy they were!

The next morning, another bag with gold was found. Imagine! Two of the daughters would now be saved. Such joy!

And the next night, the father planned to stay awake to find out who was helping his daughters. He dozed off, but heard a small "clink" as another bag landed in the room. Quickly he jumped up and ran out the door. Who did he catch ducking around the corner?

How Much Money Does The Real Santa Have

Nicholas, the young man who lived with his uncle. "Nicholas, it is you! Thank you for helping us—I hardly know what to say!" Nicholas said, "Please, do not thank me—thank God that your prayers have been answered. Do not tell others about me."

Nicholas continued helping people. He always tried to help secretly. He didn't want any attention or thanks. Years passed and he was chosen to be a bishop. Bishops look after their people as shepherds look after their sheep. And that is what Nicholas did. When there wasn't any food, he found wheat; so no one went hungry. He always helped people in trouble. All his life Nicholas showed people how to love God and care for each other.

Everyone loved Nicholas. After he died, they told stories of the good and kind things Nicholas had done. Sailors took these stories about Nicholas everywhere they went. Some of the stories were about his special care for children—helping and protecting them when danger threatened. And so more and more people learned about good, kind Nicholas. They wanted to be like him. He is an example of how we should live. And that is why he is a saint.

This is the story of the real St. Nicholas. To this day people say that St. Nicholas, or Santa, is the special friend of children.

—Carol Myers

Rotating images: Gabrielle Haymoz, Musée d'art et d'histoire, Fribourg, Switzerland. Used by permission.
Illustration: © St. Nicholas Center

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The holiday season is a prime time to earn a few extra bucks. Whether you plan to generate additional income to help cover the cost of the holidays, or you simply have extra time to put to use, there are several holiday side hustles that can give your bank account a boost. Offering up your time and energy as a Santa can be a lucrative plan, especially for those who have a jolly demeanor and an ease with children. If you're thinking about your Santa side hustle for this year or future years, here's how much you can make doing so.

The Dollars and Cents

Visit any shopping center, hospital, or another holiday event during the season and you're likely to encounter someone dressed up in a red, oversized Santa suit. Becoming a Santa as a paid profession, even for a few months of the year, has the ability to pay off in a big way. According to Market Watch, a professional Santa can make between $8,000 and $15,000 during November and December. Those with the most talent and the busiest schedules can bring in upwards of $80,000.

Who Is The Real Santa

However, not all Santas are created equal. Working a few hours per day at a local mall or small shopping center may generate a dismal $10 per hour. Those who cater to different crowds, such as work functions or private home visits can charge much more, up to $300 per hour.

How Much Is Santa Worth

Becoming a pro Santa for the season does come with costs, though. While some companies that hire you to bring the holiday cheer will cover the expense of the suit, shoes, and other accessories if needed, most Santas carry this burden on their own. A quality Santa suit can cost between $400 and $2,000, and those who work throughout the entire season need more than one on hand. The boots may run another $500, while a belt, which may not be included in the suit purchase, can cost an additional $300. If you don't have the beard or hair to match the traditional Santa aesthetic, you're likely to need a wig set. That adds another $200 to $600 to the total bill.

Overall, becoming Santa for the holidays can bring in a significant amount of cash, but the expenses cannot be overlooked. There is also the often grueling schedule, and interaction with shy or terrified visitors, and the repetitive nature of the job. Each of these aspects of being Santa should be considered before committing to the holiday side hustle.

Other Holiday Side Hustles

The good news is that if Santa doesn't fit your fancy, there are a handful of other temporary gigs that can bring in extra funds during the season. If you have a penchant for Christmas décor, consider offering your services to neighbors, friends, or family for the season. You can name your price with each customer. Selling Christmas trees is another option. If you don't want to go through the hassle of setting up shop in the community on your own, ask the local tree provider if they have an opening for a part-time worker for the season.

Side hustles for the holidays may also come in the form of using your creative juices to generate a profit. Online marketplaces like Etsy allow just about anyone with a hand-made product to sell their goods online. Many consumers these days are looking for unique gifts that can't be found in stores, so using your skills to fill this market void can be a smart way to earn a little extra this season.

The holidays are jam-packed with ways to make some extra cash. Think about your availability to do something on the side before committing to your hustle, and always add up the costs you may incur to kick-start and maintain the gig before diving in.