Have you ever looked in the mirror, tweaked your chin and thought, “If only I had that Santa look”? You know the type: big, snowy beard/hair, twinkling eyes and a belly that “shakes like a bowl of jelly”. But let’s face it, not all of us can pull it off. Especially if you’re a gangly thirty-something who still gets carded in the pub. But that’s OK. Sometimes it’s not about the beard. It’s about the voice.

Imagine, you’ve got this deep, rich and cheerful tone that can warm a room faster than a roaring fire? And what do you do with it? Start a business – Dial-a-Santa!

Parents all over the world are always looking for ways to make Christmas magical. Some go all out with matching pyjamas (you’ve seen those Instagram rolls, right?) or spend a fortune on elf-on-the-shelf sets. But there’s something about hearing Santa himself on the phone that makes children’s eyes light up like a string of Christmas lights. Imagine little Sophie in Sheffield or Rajiv in Mumbai picking up the phone and hearing a booming “Ho-ho-ho!” That’s Christmas gold.

You may be thinking, “Why would anyone pay for this?” Well, let me remind you, people pay $5 for coffee art they’ll drink in five minutes. A personalised Santa call? That’s priceless. And it’s not just the kids. Parents get a kick out of it too. One mum in Dublin told me she cried when she saw her son’s face light up. “It was like magic,” she said, tears streaming down her face, like one of those cheesy Hallmark commercials.

The brilliant thing is that you don’t need much. Just a decent phone, a quiet place (preferably not a pub loo) and a script that doesn’t sound scripted. Maybe throw in some quirky extras like a sleigh bell sound effect. There’s even a guy in Sydney who adds a “weather report” from the North Pole: “It’s snowing buckets here, mate – Rudolph’s already complaining!”

And it’s not just local anymore. Thanks to technology, you can do this globally. Set up a website or partner with platforms like Cameo or Fiverr, where personalised video messages are already booming. I read about a retired actor from South Africa who is now a full-time Santa Claus caller. He says it’s the happiest he’s ever been. You can check out his site here: SantaForHire.com (yes, it’s real).

Now, a quick confession. This wasn’t exactly my idea. I got it after watching a YouTube video about a voice actor who accidentally became famous for sounding like Darth Vader. If people can go crazy for a Sith Lord, then Santa has a chance, right?

Anyway, my point is that you don’t need the perfect look to spread joy. Just a little creativity and a lot of Christmas spirit, and if you’re tired of the 9 to 5 grind or still working out of your childhood bedroom, this could be your big break. And who knows? In a few years’ time, you could be running the next big festive empire. Make way for Coca-Cola Santa, there’s a new Saint Nick in town.

So, what do you think? Fancy a go? If not for the money, then for the fun (and maybe the occasional free mince pie from grateful parents!).

Merry Christmas, friends. And remember, sometimes the best presents aren’t wrapped, they’re listened to.