{"id":120921,"date":"2023-10-21T18:30:16","date_gmt":"2023-10-21T18:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lasixlineon.com\/?p=120921"},"modified":"2023-10-21T18:30:16","modified_gmt":"2023-10-21T18:30:16","slug":"santa-shortage-sparks-grotto-crisis-as-cost-of-living-hits-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lasixlineon.com\/world-news\/santa-shortage-sparks-grotto-crisis-as-cost-of-living-hits-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Santa shortage sparks grotto crisis as cost of living hits Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Santa visits for kids may be less "ho, ho, ho" and more "no, no, no" due to a mass shortage.<\/p>\n

Grotto bosses say there is a drought of Father Christmases applying for the role this year. The cost of living crisis is being blamed.<\/p>\n

Karen Grout, who runs a garden centre in Sussex, said: "This is the hardest year I\u2019ve ever known for getting a Santa. I think the last few years have battered Britain and I do understand people not feeling overly festive. No one has any money, the dark nights are drawing in, and then the state of the world at the moment. Hopefully the magic of Christmas will come back soon." <\/p>\n

READ MORE: Storm Babet sees 360 flood alerts issued with 'danger to life' risk across UK<\/b><\/p>\n

For the latest news from the Daily Star, click here.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Agency Hire Santa, which supplies grottos around the country, said: "We are always on the lookout for Father Christmas and elves to help spread festive cheer. We need it now more than ever."<\/p>\n

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Great Grottos, of Romford Essex, added: "We need \u00adpeople to \u00adapply right now please."<\/p>\n

This is the second year in a row that Brits' Christmas plans have been thwarted by the cost of living crisis. In 2022 parents called for Christmas Jumper Day at school to be axed in a bit to keep costs down, the Daily Star reported at the time.<\/p>\n

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