Wider Image: Christmas wishes from Santas around the world

Dana Friedman, 61, poses for a portrait in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., December 9, 2020. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

A red suit with white trim and a silky beard have long been Santa's trademark style, but the jolly figure bringing holiday cheer around the world comes in many guises, much like the varied shapes and sizes of the Christmas presents he bears.

But one wish unites all Santas, from Lebanon to Nigeria, in this year decimated by the coronavirus pandemic.

(Click https://reut.rs/3ni6SZ6 to see a picture package of Santas around the world.)

Dana Friedman, 61, poses for a photograph in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., December 9, 2020. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

"My Christmas message to the world is to be kinder to everyone in a time when we are so isolated," said Oliver Levi-Malouf, 22, who performs as a drag queen Santa at The Imperial Hotel in Sydney, with strikingly red lips and dramatic winged eye makeup.

Levi-Malouf puts on a Santa event for youth around Christmas time at the hotel, giving out colourful presents such as a feathered fascinator in the shape of a bird.

"Breathe, simply breathe," is the advice of Dana Friedman, who has been a Santa since wanting to hearten first responders and their families after the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York.

Paul Dean, 35, a personal trainer from Northwich, poses for a photograph dressed as Santa Claus with his bike that he uses to deliver Christmas presents to local villages in Davenham, Britain, November 25, 2020. REUTERS/Molly Darlington

Friedman, 61, who is an attorney, urges people take time this year to appreciate the beauty and good in the world. "While you're at it, do something nice for a total stranger," he said. "But don't let them know you did it ... Let them pay it forward in their own way."

Japanese mambo musician Paradise Yamamoto has been a Santa for 23 years, and takes an annual certification test he says is no walk in the park. "I was tested on how quickly I ate ginger biscuits, climbed chimneys, and laughed merrily with a good 'Ho, ho, ho'," he said.

Yamamoto wants to reassure children that Santa is still coming to their houses this Christmas. "I've never heard of a Christmas where Santa Claus didn't appear," said the 58-year-old, who also owns a gyoza restaurant, where he works as a chef.

Paul Dean, 35, a personal trainer from Northwich, poses for a photograph in his everyday clothing with his bike that he uses to deliver Christmas presents to local villages dressed as Santa Claus, in Davenham, Britain, November 25, 2020. "There's no one on my naughty list this year, it's been a terribly hard year for many people, so to get everyone in the Christmas spirit they have all made it onto my nice list!" said Dean. "I especially hope to bring joy to all the key workers who have been working throughout this difficult time, they deserve to have an extra special Christmas." REUTERS/Molly Darlington

"I might try to get in your houses through a different route from usual, but I will most certainly visit everyone's homes – after, of course, washing my hands, gargling, disinfecting the soles of my shoes, and taking the proper measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus."

Children excited to see Santa had better take note of the warning from Mexican actor and director of children's theatre Alejandro Zelayaran, though.

"I will not visit children who do not respect their mother and father, who have not taken care of themselves during COVID and who have pulled practical jokes on their teachers during virtual classes," he said.

A combination picture shows Paul Dean, 35, a personal trainer from Northwich in his everyday clothing and dressed as Santa Claus, posing for photographs in front of his bike he uses to deliver Christmas presents to local villages, and a Christmas gift that he will be delivering, in Davenham, Britain, November 25, 2020. "There's no one on my naughty list this year, it's been a terribly hard year for many people, so to get everyone in the Christmas spirit they have all made it onto my nice list!" said Dean. "I especially hope to bring joy to all the key workers who have been working throughout this difficult time, they deserve to have an extra special Christmas." REUTERS/Molly Darlington

Zelayaran, who will don a face shield when he distributes dolls and other gifts at an orphanage in Mexico City, also emphasises the importance of family. "Faith and hope must move the hearts of humanity," said the 43-year-old.

"I want to see families taking care of each other and knowing that even from afar, love and hope always survive."

Limachem Cherem, 64, who runs a school for Santas in Rio de Janeiro, will be spending more time in a studio this month, raising children' spirits with recorded messages and live video chats.

A combination picture shows Dana Friedman, 61, posing for photographs in his everyday clothing and dressed up as Santa Claus, and him holding a stuffed toy that will be donated to children at St. Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., December 9, 2020. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

He, too, encourages people reach out to each other.

"Get on the phone, send messages, it doesn't cost much with the internet," said the jovial man with a big beard. "Since we can't hug in person, send a message of peace to a friend. He needs it, while he is at home."

Frederik Tholey of Weihnachstmann2Go, poses for a photograph dresesed as Santa Claus in his living room, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Berlin, Germany, December 3, 2020. "If it ever happens that children show up on my naughty list, which is not very often the case, it's because they try to pull my beard, don't believe in me, and, this year in particular, if they don't wash their hands," said Tholey. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

(Reporting by Reuters photographers; Writing by Karishma Singh; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

Frederik Tholey of Weihnachstmann2Go, poses for a photograph in his living room, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Berlin, Germany, December 4, 2020. "If it ever happens that children show up on my naughty list, which is not very often the case, it's because they try to pull my beard, don't believe in me, and, this year in particular, if they don't wash their hands," said Tholey. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

A gift box with sweets, toys and souvenirs signed "Moscow residence of Father Frost" is pictured in Moscow, Russia, November 28, 2020. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

A combination picture shows Frederik Tholey of Weihnachstmann2Go, posing for photographs dressed in his everyday clothing and as Santa Claus, and a Christmas decoration, in his living room, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Berlin, Germany, December 4, 2020. "If it ever happens that children show up on my naughty list, which is not very often the case, it's because they try to pull my beard, don't believe in me, and, this year in particular, if they don't wash their hands." REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Oliver Levi-Malouf poses for a photograph dressed as a drag queen Santa at The Imperial Hotel in Sydney, Australia, November 28, 2020. The Imperial Hotel is a bar and pub where Levi-Malouf performs in drag throughout the year and puts on a Santa event for youth around Christmas. "My Christmas message to the world is to be kinder to everyone in a time when we are so isolated," said Levi-Malouf. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "GLOBAL SANTA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Oliver Levi-Malouf poses for a photograph at The Imperial Hotel in Sydney, Australia, November 28, 2020. The Imperial Hotel is a bar and pub where Levi-Malouf performs in drag throughout the year and puts on a Santa event for youth around Christmas. "My Christmas message to the world is to be kinder to everyone in a time when we are so isolated," said Levi-Malouf. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

A combination picture shows Oliver Levi-Malouf posing for photographs in their everyday clothing and dressed as a drag queen Santa and a feathered bird fascinator to be given as a present to a youth near Christmas, at The Imperial Hotel in Sydney, Australia, November 28, 2020. The Imperial Hotel is a bar and pub where Levi-Malouf performs in drag throughout the year and puts on a Santa event for youth around Christmas. "My Christmas message to the world is to be kinder to everyone in a time when we are so isolated," said Levi-Malouf. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

Daniel Edidiong, 36, Santa Claus for Independent Television, poses for a photograph at the station in Abuja, Nigeria, December 4, 2020. "I normally use gloves as Father Christmas, but this year due to COVID-19, I am using rubber gloves and each time I hand over gifts to children, I will sanitise my hands." REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Daniel Edidiong, 36, Santa Claus for Independent Television, poses for a photograph in his everyday clothing at the station in Abuja, Nigeria, December 4, 2020. "I normally use gloves as Father Christmas, but this year due to COVID-19, I am using rubber gloves and each time I hand over gifts to children, I will sanitise my hands." REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

A combination picture shows Daniel Edidiong, 36, Santa Claus for Independent Television, in his everyday clothing and dressed up as Santa, and a box with a gift, at the TV station in Abuja, Nigeria December 4, 2020. "I normally use gloves as Father Christmas, but this year due to COVID-19, I am using rubber gloves and each time I hand over gifts to children, I will sanitise my hands." REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Santa Claus Limachem Cherem, 64, who runs a school for Santas in Rio de Janeiro, poses for a photograph at a studio where he does online interactions with children and records videos, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 25, 2020. Cherem encourages people reach out to each other. "Get on the phone, send messages, it doesn't cost much with the internet," he said. "Since we can't hug in person, send a message of peace to a friend. He needs it, while he is at home." REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Santa Claus Limachem Cherem, 64, who runs a school for Santas in Rio de Janeiro, poses for photograph in his everyday clothing at a studio where he does online interactions with children and records videos, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 25, 2020. Cherem encourages people reach out to each other. "Get on the phone, send messages, it doesn't cost much with the internet," he said. "Since we can't hug in person, send a message of peace to a friend. He needs it, while he is at home." REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Kamal Krishna Bairagi, 41, poses for photograph dressed as Santa Claus at his home in Kolkata, India, December 4, 2020. "I wish to make the world war-free, pollution-free and epidemic-free for our coming generations. No one should cheat each other, God is watching everything from above. I wish and pray to God to save the world from COVID-19 and my sincere wish to say bye-bye to the disease by the end of 2020," said Bairagi. "Politicians are on my naughty list and actors, like me, who entertain people no matter what the situation is, are on my nice list." REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

A combination picture shows Santa Claus Limachem Cherem, 64, who runs a school for Santas in Rio de Janeiro, posing for photographs in his everyday clothing and dressed as Santa, and holding a letter with Christmas wishes, at a studio where he does online interactions with children and records videos, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 25, 2020. Cherem encourages people reach out to each other. "Get on the phone, send messages, it doesn't cost much with the internet," he said. "Since we can't hug in person, send a message of peace to a friend. He needs it, while he is at home." REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Vadim Lavrov, 65, director-screenwriter, poses for a photograph in his Father Frost costume before performing for children with disabilities in Moscow, Russia, November 28, 2020. "I wish everyone in Russia and the world to be healthy. Then we will start visiting each other again," said Lavrov. "The biggest difference this year is much less direct communication. Number of posts and emails is growing." REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Vadim Lavrov, 65, director-screenwriter, poses for a photograph in his everyday clothing next to his Father Frost costume before performing for children with disabilities in Moscow, Russia, November 28, 2020. "I wish everyone in Russia and the world to be healthy. Then we will start visiting each other again," said Lavrov. "The biggest difference this year is much less direct communication. Number of posts and emails is growing." REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov SEARCH "GLOBAL SANTA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

A combination picture shows Vadim Lavrov, 65, director-screenwriter, posing for photographs in his everyday clothing and wearing his Father Frost costume, and a gift box with sweets, toys and souvenirs that reads: "Moscow residence of Father Frost", at the residence of Father Frost in Moscow, Russia, November 28, 2020. "I wish everyone in Russia and the world to be healthy. Then we will start visiting each other again," said Lavrov. "The biggest difference this year is much less direct communication. Number of posts and emails is growing." REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Santa Paradise Yamamoto (who didn't want to be identified with his real name), 58, an authorized Santa Claus by the Greenland Santa Claus Association, wears his Santa Claus costume as he poses for a photograph at his Gyoza dumplings restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, November 30, 2020. Yamamoto wants to reassure children that Santa is still coming to their houses this Christmas. "I've never heard of a Christmas where Santa Claus didn't appear," he said. "I might try to get in your houses through a different route from usual, but I will most certainly visit everyone's homes – after, of course, washing my hands, gargling, disinfecting the soles of my shoes, and taking the proper measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus." REUTERS/Issei Kato

Paradise Yamamoto (who didn't want to be identified with his real name), 58, an authorized Santa Claus by the Greenland Santa Claus Association, wears his Mambo musician costume as he poses for a photograph at his Gyoza dumplings restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, November 30, 2020. Yamamoto wants to reassure children that Santa is still coming to their houses this Christmas. "I've never heard of a Christmas where Santa Claus didn't appear," he said. "I might try to get in your houses through a different route from usual, but I will most certainly visit everyone's homes after, of course, washing my hands, gargling, disinfecting the soles of my shoes, and taking the proper measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus." REUTERS/Issei Kato

A combination picture shows Paradise Yamamoto (who didn't want to be identified with his real name), 58, a Santa Claus authorized by the Greenland Santa Claus Association, posing for photographs wearing his Mambo musician costume and Santa Claus costume, and a stuffed giraffe is an example of a gift that he is going to give to children, at his Gyoza dumplings restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, November 30, 2020. Yamamoto wants to reassure children that Santa is still coming to their houses this Christmas. "I've never heard of a Christmas where Santa Claus didn't appear," he said. "I might try to get in your houses through a different route from usual, but I will most certainly visit everyone's homes ? after, of course, washing my hands, gargling, disinfecting the soles of my shoes, and taking the proper measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus." REUTERS/Issei Kato

Melissa Freiha, 25, dressed as Santa Claus, poses for a photograph by her Christmas corner at her house in Mar Mikhael neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon, December 10, 2020. "This year, as our entire world is changing, the simple act of welcoming Santa into one's home is opening up and defying all the constraints that the pandemic has forced us to live in," said Melissa. REUTERS/Emma Freiha

Melissa Freiha, 25, poses for a photograph in her everyday clothing by her Christmas corner at her home in Mar Mikhael neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon, December 10, 2020. "This year, as our entire world is changing, the simple act of welcoming Santa into one's home is opening up and defying all the constraints that the pandemic has forced us to live in," said Melissa. REUTERS/Emma Freiha

A hand-sewn Christmas ornament of an angel, made by Melissa and her mother, that is to be distributed as a free gift, is pictured at Melissa's home in Mar Mikhael neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon, December 10, 2020. "This year, as our entire world is changing, the simple act of welcoming Santa into one's home is opening up and defying all the constraints that the pandemic has forced us to live in," said Melissa. REUTERS/Emma Freiha

A combination picture shows Melissa Freiha, 25, posing for photographs in her everyday clothing and dressed up as Santa Claus, and a Christmas ornament of an angel, hand-sewn by Freiha and her mother, that is to be distributed as a free gift, at her home in Mar Mikhael neighbourhood of Beirut, Lebanon, December 10, 2020. "This year, as our entire world is changing, the simple act of welcoming Santa into one's home is opening up and defying all the constraints that the pandemic has forced us to live in," said Melissa. REUTERS/Emma Freiha

Dmitry Slektor, 71, a pensioner who worked as a mechanic at a glass factory, poses for a photograph in his everyday clothing in his apartment in Almaty, Kazakhstan, December 3, 2020. "Let all wars end next year and stability will come and the coronovirus pandemic will end," said Slektor. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

Dmitry Slektor, 71, a pensioner who worked as a mechanic at a glass factory, poses for a photograph dressed as Santa Claus in his apartment in Almaty, Kazakhstan, December 3, 2020. "Let all wars end next year and stability will come and the coronovirus pandemic will end," said Slektor. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

A combination picture shows Dmitry Slektor, 71, a pensioner who worked as a mechanic at a glass factory, posing for photographs wearing his everyday clothing and dressed as Santa Claus and a Christmas toy belonging to him, at his apartment in Almaty, Kazakhstan, December 3, 2020. "Let all wars end next year and stability will come and the coronovirus pandemic will end," said Slektor. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev