The story highlights a man in the UAE who is letting his beard grow naturally so he can look like Santa Claus and spread festive cheer during the Christmas season.
UAE: Meet man who is growing beard to become ‘natural’ Santa by Christmas
For the past decade, every September, David Learman has allowed his pale white beard to grow in preparation for his Santa Claus role.
Dressed in a bright red-and-white suit tailored to fit his round frame, complete with neat spectacles and a festive hat, Learman embodies the classic image of Santa straight out of a storybook or movie.
Based in Ras Al Khaimah and working professionally as a photographer, he is typically booked throughout the holiday season. This December, he has received roughly 35 bookings, which increase in frequency as Christmas approaches, sometimes handling four to five appearances a day. While he occasionally visits private homes, most of his appearances are at hotels.
By December 26, the day after Christmas, Learman is usually among the first to arrive at the barber shop to shave off his long Santa beard. “The barbers always ask me to come in wearing my Santa suit because they love taking photos of Santa,” he said.
Learman noted that portraying Santa Claus is not a financially profitable venture, yet he continues for the delight it brings to children when they meet the cheerful, round-bellied Christmas character.
“For me, it’s all about the look on a child’s face when I sit them on my knee and hand them a gift,” he said. “They tug at the beard and ask, ‘Are you a real Santa?’ and then they realize, yes, it really is Santa. That smile is priceless.”
Thanks to his role as an independent photographer, Learman can take on Santa appearances without significant stress. Together with his wife, he runs a creative agency, and much of his work involves oversight, leaving him ample time to enjoy his festive gigs.
Christmas Celebrations, Commercialisation
Learman shared an experience when he was hired to appear at the Heritage Village in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Jazeera Al Hamra. He was pleased to see that most of the visitors who came up to him were Emiratis eager to take photos with Santa.
In contrast, he described another booking as “surreal” and “strange.” He was asked to wear his full Santa outfit for a children’s event organised by an events management company.
According to Learman, many of the children were unfamiliar with Christmas traditions, coming from non-Christian families. “The culture and the festivities were being imposed on them. It felt very surreal. I found that quite strange,” he explained.
He criticised the event organisers for turning the celebration into a purely commercial activity, aimed at generating profit. “It was challenging to sit there while they tried to get the children to sing carols that weren’t part of their culture or religion. It felt very much like a commercial exercise,” Learman added.
Learman reflected further on how cultural context plays a big role in the experience of festive celebrations. While he enjoys spreading holiday cheer, he recognises that Christmas traditions do not naturally resonate with everyone, especially children from non-Christian households. “It’s important to respect cultural differences,” he said. “Seeing children confused or disinterested during forced activities reminded me that celebrations should be meaningful, not just performative.” He stressed that the joy of Christmas should come from shared warmth and genuine engagement, rather than being imposed for commercial gain. This perspective has shaped how he chooses his bookings, prioritising authentic, inclusive experiences that truly bring happiness to participants.
Despite these challenges, Learman continues to embrace his role as Santa with passion. He believes that the essence of Christmas lies in connection, kindness, and joy, which transcends religion and culture. By focusing on genuine interactions, he has seen how even small gestures, like giving a gift or sharing a smile, can create lasting memories. His experiences have made him more mindful of the balance between festive commercialisation and meaningful celebration. Ultimately, he hopes that both organisers and participants can celebrate the season in ways that feel authentic, enjoyable, and respectful to everyone involved.
