Dad with ‘Santa-phobia’ is ‘terrified of putting up Christmas decorations’

Phobias can be debilitating and this dad’s fear of a common Christmas decoration makes the festive season a time for fear and anxiety all stemming from a childhood scare

Christmas is a time for cheer and celebrations with your loved ones and many families look forward to decorating their homes and trees together. For one family in Kent, the festive season comes with fear and trepidation rather than joy thanks to the dad’s unusual phobia.

Since he was a small child, Garry Hollidge has suffered from a phobia of the man dressed in red and this seasonal scare has wrecked havoc on his life. Upon seeing Santa, the 57 year old says he suffers from shortness of breath and gets the cold sweats, and admits his anxiety “skyrockets” as the winter months approach.

Real life Santa isn’t a problem for the dad, instead it’s the little moving decorations that keep him awake at night. He said: “It’s the little weird dancing figures that freak me out, as they are really creepy and it’s the way they move that’s horrible – I can’t bear it.”

“As soon as the little Santa starts jiggling, I start to break out in a cold sweat and it’s terrible, as it runs down my back, around my neck and my palms go really clammy,” Garry explained. He attributes the fear to one moving unexpectedly and taking him by surprise as a child.

Sadly for Garry, his parents then bought one of these creepy Santas in an attempt to help him conquer his fear – but this only made things worse.

He said: “I think they thought it was funny and it would help me get over my fear, but it just made matters ten times worse as the years went on.

“I remember going shopping with my mum as Christmas approached and this was a no-go. If I had to go with her, I’d sit and wait in the car for her to return.

“It was a tricky time at school, as my friends constantly asked me to go over to their house and their mums would invite me to dinner. I’d have to find out if they had a dancing Santa and if they did, I would make up any excuse and arrange to see them outside instead.

“I kept my secret safe, so kids at school never knew and luckily, I wasn’t bullied.”

Now, he has banned the tiny figures from his home although he acknowledges they will be stocked on the shelves and at loved ones homes. Santa himself is welcome in Garry’s house, as long as he keeps the dancing to a minimum.

Garry added: “I think my family understand that big Santa is welcome, but there is a ban on the little dancing ones and there always will be.

“I don’t have a problem with anyone who wears red or has a big white beard, it’s just the way they move – I can’t bear it.

“It’s not enjoyable as they can appear anywhere and at any time, it’s such a nightmare.”