Every year, a man from southern Denmark trades his own Christmas celebration for a long day of spreading joy as Santa Claus to dozens of families across the region.
Christmas on the Road Instead of at Home
For most Danes, Christmas Eve begins late in the afternoon around dinner and gifts. But for 54-year-old John Henry Jørgensen from Aabenraa, it starts early in the morning. Dressed in a red suit and white beard, he sets out in his pickup truck packed with caramel candies and good cheer.
For the past 17 years, Jørgensen has spent Christmas Eve on the road. This year he plans to visit more than 90 families throughout Southern Jutland, following a strict schedule that begins at 8 a.m. and rarely ends before 9 p.m. Each stop is short, but meaningful. He knocks on the door, greets the family, hands out candy, and quickly moves on to the next house.
Parents sometimes leave wrapped gifts outside for him to deliver inside. It might be only a few minutes at each home, but for many children, meeting Santa is the highlight of their holiday.
From Lonely Christmases to a Full Calendar
Two decades ago, Jørgensen never imagined becoming Santa. After a divorce, he spent several lonely Christmas Eves without family or celebration. Then one year, a friend asked if he would dress up as Santa for his children. That small favor transformed his holidays.
Seeing the happiness in children’s faces made him want to keep doing it. Soon enough, Christmas Eve became his busiest day of the year—not one he spent at home, but one dedicated entirely to others.
He later created a Facebook page called “Hugo The Julemand,” allowing families to book Santa visits during December. The requests poured in, turning what started as an act of kindness into an annual tradition that fills every hour of his December calendar.
More Families Than One Santa Can Reach
The demand for Santa visits keeps growing. Jørgensen now works all through December, not just on the 24th. He visits families on the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and even the 25th, to accommodate those who celebrate early or come from blended families with multiple holiday plans.
This year, he expects to travel over 1,100 kilometers across Southern Jutland. Still, he cannot reach everyone. Every season brings more requests than he can handle, and planning his route is a challenge in itself.
To manage the hectic schedule, Jørgensen now has an assistant who drives him around during the busy Christmas days. His helper, who also doesn’t celebrate Christmas conventionally, ensures that Santa can reach each doorstep safely and on time.
A Christmas Eve Without Time for Himself
Once the final visit ends late at night on the 24th, Jørgensen returns home completely drained. There’s no Christmas dinner waiting, no gifts to unwrap. Instead, he collapses on the couch to rest before another day of visits.
Over the years, he has promised himself to cut back. Yet each December, the number of families grows, and he finds it impossible to say no. Despite the exhaustion, he continues because bringing joy to others gives him purpose during a time that once felt lonely.
After nearly two decades of wearing the Santa suit, Jørgensen has no plans to stop. His story shows how one man turned solitude into connection and created his own unique way of celebrating Christmas in Denmark.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: How Does Denmark Celebrate Christmas?
The Danish Dream: Best Festivals in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: John bruger juleaften på at være julemand for andre: ‘Jeg har ikke holdt jul i 17 år’
