Word got out recently that this will be the last Christmas that we will see the iconic giant Santa tower over us tiny humans during the festive season and it’s a real shame. Everyone is so quick to throw the word iconic to describe something nowadays but truly, giant Santa is a national treasure. The 19-metre-tall guy has been around for nearly six decades!
While I’m devastated to hear the news of giant Santa bidding us farewell, the reason for his upcoming retirement is annoyingly understandable. Giant Santa ain’t cheap. It costs more than $200,000 per year to set up, maintain, and store the guy. Plus, he is due to be freshened up after all these years so that would be an additional cost to factor in. Like I said, giant Santa ain’t cheap and I’m not arguing that. I was just unrealistically hoping that we could afford to keep him going every Christmas until the end of time for sentimental reasons.
I’m still secretly hoping that someone with way too much money will swoop in to save giant Santa but that’s really just wishful thinking on my part.
The owner of giant Santa, Heart of the City, said that part of the next steps is to discuss where he will go after he retires. I vote for displaying him inside the Auckland Museum. He’s a big part of the city’s history, okay! Plus, the photo opportunity this presents will totally bring in the social media-obsessed crowds.
Heart of the City is exploring what Christmas 2020 and beyond could look like minus giant Santa. I suggest going over the top and hanging a bunch of Christmas lights and decorations along Queen Street and setting up a giant Christmas tree like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City. Go big or go home, I say!
Giant Santa will be at the Farmers building on the corner of Queen Street and Victoria Street West from Sunday, 10 November until Friday, 10 January for his last hurrah.
