THIS month travellers arriving at Sydney International Airport are likely to be greeted by a familiar jolly bearded man in boots and a red jingly suit.
Hailing from the North Pole, via the Adelaide suburb of North Salisbury, Santa Ian is one of a global network of specially-recruited Santa's helpers dispatched around the world to spread Christmas magic and find out who's been naughty or nice before December 25.
But this Santa didn't arrive in Sydney on a sleigh pulled by reindeers, or even on a plane. Instead he came by bus and train. "I had four Santa suits and my boots to fit into my luggage and I just couldn't get that down to 30kg."
Also known as Ian Loxton, the 67-year-old former railway worker has been aiding the Big Guy at the North Pole and his team of elves for 16 years, after his wife spotted an ad in the local paper.
"She said 'You could do that'. I like working with kids and used to help out at my children's school," said the father-of-four and soon to be grandfather who is also a palliative care volunteer. That was in 2003 and he's been donning the red suit with all the trimmings every year since.
"They wanted to know if I had a happy disposition, and if I believed in Santa and Christmas," he said. "You've got to believe."
He said being Santa is more than just being a guy in a red suit - it's a calling. Ian has even travelled to Japan and Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi in his role. "When I put on the suit, I transform. We have a saying in the trade: Santa is not the man in the red suit, Santa is what is in the heart of the man in the red suit."
Ian, in fact, has multiple hand-made suits which he sewed himself. When The Senior caught up with him, he was busy reupholstering his red and gold throne, which he knocked up in his workshop.
"It's like a battleship," he said. "I've had three burly security guards sitting on it and it handled them with no problem! It's slightly lower than a normal chair so children can climb on easily."
He said the best part about the job is "bringing a little magic" and the spirit of Christmas into people's lives. As the only Australian member of Santa America - an organisation set up to provide a Santa for kids in need - he abides by the group's pledge: Santa is love, hope and joy wrapped up in a hug.
"And that can be for people of any age," said Ian, who has visitors of all generations - from a three-hour-old baby to a 94-year-old. "She was glowing," he said. "And that's the magic of Christmas - to bring about smiles."
As well as these heartfelt moments, sometimes things don't quite go according to plan - even for Santa.
Like the time the elastic on his fake beard gave way twice on the same day in 2005. "It was a horrible shift," he said. "I decided after that to grow my own beard. But my wife was upset - she didn't want the whiskers!"
Of course, inquisitive children still can't resist tugging at his facial hair. But Ian is ready for this, and for the surprising things that come out of their mouths.
"You have to be on the ball. Kids will throw you curly questions."
There was the boy who told him how his mum liked to walk around the house naked. And then there are the children who aren't sure if he's "real".
"I say, 'Well I feel real'. Then I ask them, 'Can you remember a Christmas when you got up and there wasn't anything under the tree? Then the presents must have got there somehow'."
And what about those children who are scared of Santa, but are dragged kicking and screaming to his chair for a photo? "You just have to watch their body language and slowly start talking to them about Christmas." Despite the tantrums, he said he can always get them a photo. "It might not be a good one, but that's fine - it's a Christmas memory."
And then there's the heat. According to Ian, us Aussies are very conservative when it comes to how our Santas dress (shorts and thongs are not okay) so he has to be sure to stay hydrated under all his layers. "Children do not want to see Santa being taken away in an ambulance!"
Of course, North Pole head office is always on the look-out for other helpers. So what other qualities are required for this important job?
Ian said it helps to keep in touch with other Santa's helpers around the world. He chats online regularly and has also signed the Global Santa Oath.
You also have to know your toys - from Lego to Fortnite - and understand what boys and girls are into each year. "I spend a lot of time in the lead up to Christmas checking out the toys in the department stores," he said. "One year I memorised the names of all the Bratz dolls, and their hair colours."
Of course, Lego is always top of most kids' wish list. "Luckily at the North Pole there is a whole room full of Lego," Ian said.
"But I think this year I'll get a lot of requests for anything to do with the movie Frozen 2. That's when I'll tell my joke: 'Why don't you give a balloon to Elsa? Because she'll always Let it Go.'
"Yes, Santa jokes are worse than dad jokes," he said, ho, ho ho-ing.
- If you're interested in becoming one of Santa's helpers, visit www.bookasanta.com.au
