
It takes A LOT of work to look this jolly. At the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan, some 200 Santas and Mrs. Clauses came from across the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Norway to learn wood toy-making, brush up on storytelling skills, drive sleighs, feed reindeer and, most importantly, spread the Christmas spirit. Here, a look at what it takes to make a really convincing St. Nick.

Santa Holmes Kimble of Farmer City, Illinois, learns to apply Santa makeup.
REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Santas and Mrs. Clauses enjoy lunch at Pizzas on Main Street during a break from class.
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Santas learn breathing techniques.
REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Santa Jerry Julian of Colorado Springs pulls some yoga moves outside the Santa House.
REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Santa Jerry Julian of Colorado Springs, Colorado, hides in the grass following a ride on the Polar Express during a field trip.

Santa Fred Osther from Oslo, Norway, waits for the afternoon session of classes.
REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Santa Fred on a Toys R Us field trip.

Five year old Claire tugs the beard of Santa Barry Westmoreland of Germanton, North Carolina, as the Santas visit a Toys R Us store, during a field trip.
REUTERS/Christinne Muschi





