Berlin:
More than a hundred Santas gathered for an annual convention in Berlin on Saturday to prepare for their duties over the forthcoming festive season.
The Santas, organised by Berlin's student employment agency were shown what to do when delivering presents to the children, and then gathered to cheer, ring their bells and sing Christmas songs.
"We learned to be nice, sing Christmas songs and have fun with children," said Andreas Mackert, one of the Santas present.
His more-experienced colleague Stefan Hinz said he approved of the use of role play for Santas to learn how to do the job well, in particular the aspect of dealing with what he called "problematic families."