Meet Tom Bethke. He’s about as close to being the real Santa Claus as it gets. For more than 40 years, this professional Santa has been donning the signature red suit and sporting the unmistakable white beard (it’s real, in case you are wondering). He’s also busy in his Minnesota-based workshop creating handmade, heirloom-quality wooden toys that he sells on Kringle Workshops. In a world of mass-produced items, Tom offers something truly unique and special, which is exactly what the holiday season deserves. It’s people like Tom who inspire us at Etsy. And while not all of our two million sellers double as professional Santa Clauses, we know they are all working hard to bring joy to buyers this holiday season. Enjoy and happy holidays! Image Credit: Marnie Marie Photography