Bah! | Pay frozen for Father Christmas in 2025 - as Elves reach higher shelf

It’s set to be a blue Christmas for Santa this year, new research suggests, with Father Christmases in the UK set to see their pay rates remain unchanged from December 2024.

Incomes Data Research (IDR), an independent research organisation specialising in pay and employment, found that Santas will earn a median £15.00 per hour for the second year running.

IDR’s report of the job market for festive roles found that elves will see a 7.8% increase in their median pay rate compared to 2024.

Pay frozen for Father Christmas

Drawing on data from 37 Santa vacancies – an understandably small sample size, especially given cuts to Father Christmas roles in recent years  – the pay data may need to be taken with a bucket of seasonal salt.