Santa School

The title and photographs are pretty self-explanatory. 

From three separate series in the LIFE photo archives: by Martha Holmes in 1948, Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1961, and Ralph Morse in a year no one wrote down. 

Santa lecturing to a classroom of Santas. Source

Trying to stay Santa in the wind. Source

Getting the look just right. Source

Still working on it. Source

Santa dance lessons. Source

Practice with kids in groups.1961. Source

Practice with kids one on one. 1961. Source

So many Santas! Source

Lap technique. Source

Potential problems. Source

Only partway there. Source

Santa creed. Source

Even Santa gets a bit bored in lectures sometimes. Source

Santa has to take exams, too. Source

Santa School comes in colour, too. Source

Ralph Morse, LIFE  © Time Inc.

Finally, Santa graduation.  Source