Jobless Santas Signal a Gloomy Christmas and Economic Slowdown in the US

The familiar “Ho! Ho! Ho!” is noticeably quieter across the United States this Christmas, with professional Santa Clauses facing one of their toughest job markets in years. A sharp decline in seasonal hiring has left many Santas without work, highlighting deeper economic pressures affecting American consumers and retailers.

According to a report cited by CBS, unemployment among professional Santas during the peak holiday season has reached its highest level since 2022. Data from Revelio Labs shows that job listings for store Santas are down 35% compared to 2024, as malls shut down and retailers slash festive budgets amid falling footfall.

Even the remaining roles are becoming more selective. Nearly 70% of Santa job listings now require candidates to have a natural, fully grown beard — a significant jump from just 14% three years ago. While the median hourly wage has increased to about $25, up from $21.89 in 2022, higher pay has done little to offset the steep fall in available jobs.

The shrinking demand for Santas mirrors broader challenges in the US economy. The unemployment rate climbed to 4.6% in November 2025, the highest in four years, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although employers added around 64,000 jobs in November, this failed to compensate for heavy losses in October, when over 100,000 jobs were shed, including major cuts to the federal workforce.

The Wall Street Journal estimated that nearly seven million Americans were unemployed heading into Christmas, while overall job creation in 2025 fell sharply compared to the previous year. High borrowing costs, tariffs, and slowing business investment have further dampened hiring momentum.

Inflation has added to the strain. Consumer prices rose 2.7% year-on-year in November, with essentials such as food, fuel, housing, medical care, and transportation continuing to see elevated costs. Data from the Associated Press showed that while holiday sales increased nominally, inflation-adjusted growth was far more modest, indicating that consumers are spending cautiously and prioritising necessities.

Retailers, anticipating weaker in-store traffic, have responded by cutting back on seasonal staffing. Hiring for holiday retail jobs — including store Santas — has dropped to between 265,000 and 365,000 this season, the lowest level in 15 years. As shoppers increasingly turn to online purchases and discounts, brick-and-mortar malls are scaling down on festive displays and on-site experiences.

For many professional Santas, the loss of seasonal work has become a symbol of a broader slowdown gripping the US economy. As inflation squeezes household budgets and job security weakens, Christmas 2025 is shaping up to be one of the gloomiest holiday seasons in recent memory.