CORVALLIS, Ore. — Confirmation for would-be Santas: There are no rules on what makes Santa, “Santa,” according to a study out of the University of Tennessee, Northern Illinois University and Oregon State University.
Researchers interviewed Santas who fit the more traditional role, or prototypical curly white hair, beard, and round belly Santa, as well as less stereotypical Santas – think skinny Santa, or one who uses a mobility scooter, female Santas, or “Santas of color.”
The one unifying factor among all these groups of Santas is their desire to live out the spirit of jolly old Saint Nick…