Alex Appiah is feeling cheerful and bright as he prepares for his shift at West Edmonton Mall, sporting a white beard and red suit.

The 29-year-old Edmonton man worked in the mall party hustle and bustle for eight years, primarily at the mall’s Galaxyland indoor amusement park.

But he says he’ll make this December one to remember as he prepares to become one of the first black actors to play Santa through an initiative called ‘Santa for All at West Edmonton Mall’ .

“I feel good,” he said in a recent telephone interview. “It’s going to be a good day.”

Billed as an upgrade to traditional photos with Santa, the initiative allows guests to learn more about each Kris Kringle and book photos with the one they like the most.

Appiah is one of two diverse actors participating. The other is a Filipino Santa who speaks Tagalog.

An offer he couldn’t refuse

Playing Jolly Old Elf wasn’t exactly on his 2024 bingo card, Appiah said, but it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“Every child should be able to see themselves in the magic of the holidays,” Appiah said.

Growing up in Toronto, often considered a cultural melting pot, he said he never saw a Santa who looked like him.

But many countries celebrate Christmas with their version of Santa Claus, he said, reinforcing the idea that he is for everyone.

“It’s really important to give children the opportunity to see themselves. I never imagined that there could be a Tagalog-speaking Santa from the Philippines or a Santa from Africa,” Appiah said.

Diversity embraced at Santa’s school

Diversity is strongly accepted at Jennifer Andrews’ Santa School in Calgary. His partner, Jeremy, said they had trained Santa’s helpers from as far away as Dubai and Hong Kong.

Actors may come in different shapes and sizes, but their goal is to spread joy, Jeremy Andrews said.

“Santa Claus is like a snowflake,” he added. “They’re all a little different…so we try to help the Santa rep identify his strengths that he can use to help people feel the Christmas spirit.”

Andrews said he recently had the chance to play the role of Santa Claus in France. Although Santa’s visits there are similar to those in Canada, they are generally quieter and more reserved.

“There are obviously differences between cultures, but ultimately what people are looking for is to feel that magic of Christmas,” he said.

For Chuck Powell, the magic of Christmas can be comforting when the going gets tough.

A military veteran from the Gitxsan First Nation in British Columbia, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder following deployments overseas.

During his military career, he donned an inexpensive Santa suit for Canadian, American and British troops stationed overseas. It came as a shock when those stationed with him in Bosnia learned his true identity, he said.

“They couldn’t believe that a very hardened, angry Type A warrant officer from a military police platoon…was the jolly, happy Saint Nick,” Powell said from his home in Wainwright, Alta. “I quite enjoyed that.”

Now retired, he spends much of his year spreading kindness in his community, buying toys and treats for children, as well as food and clothing for down-on-their-luck families.

He also plays the role of Santa Claus at municipal events, retirement homes and on-reserve gatherings in Alberta. For these events, he integrates elements of his indigenous culture.

“I’ve been to some pretty shitty places, I’ve seen some really shitty things, I’ve done a few things that I have to answer to God for,” Powell said. “But this is how I give back.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published December 15, 2024.