Ho, Ho, Hot!

Five months before Christmas, 171 Santas and their aides gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 26, 2006, for the largest-ever World Santa Claus Congress. The annual convention ended on a merry note Wednesday with the group voting to make Christmas presents bigger.

Scott Serafin of Buffalo, N.Y., shows a passport identifying him as Santa Claus in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 26, 2006. Serafin, who has been a Santa for the past 37 years at Buffalo-area shopping malls and companies, said the gathering is a good opportunity to learn about Christmas traditions in other countries.

Santas from the United States, Japan, Norway and Sweden line up backstage before making their entrance in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 26, 2006. Dressed in their traditional winter garb, these Santas sweated in the 90-degree heat.

Danish football player Ebbe Sand, left, is honored as Santa Claus of the Year for 2006 at a ceremony at the Bakken amusement park, near Copenhagen on July 26, 2006. The celebration was part of the annual World Santa Claus Congress.

Swimming Santas — AP Photo/John McConnico

Santas and their helpers cavort in the ocean at Bellevue beach in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 25, 2006. Five months before Christmas, more than 150 Santas gathered for the annual World Santa Claus Congress.

Santas helpers play in the ocean at Bellevue beach in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 25, 2006. Over the years, the annual World Santa Claus Congress has grown from a local summer festivity into one that attracts Santas and their helpers from all over.

Santa's helpers wring out their clothes after attempting to cool off with a swim at Bellevue beach in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 25, 2006. Temperatures were in the 90s during the three-day event.

A Santa leaps into the ocean with children in tow at Bellevue beach in Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 25, 2006. During their annual convention, Santas from around the world exchange ideas on how to stay jolly and compete in events such as Christmas tree decorating in between taking dips in the ocean to cool off.

A Russian Santa waves his country's flag on July 24, 2006, in Copenhagen, Denmark. This year, 171 Santas and their helpers from Scandinavia, Germany, Russia, the United States and Japan attended the 43rd annual World Santa Claus Congress.

Syrian-born Danish politician Naser Khader is named an honorary Santa for 2006 on July 24, 2006. For the 43rd straight year, Santas attending the global convention of St. Nicks gathered six months before Christmas to entertain children at Bakken, the world's oldest amusement park, located 13 miles north of Copenhagen.

More than 100 "authorized" Santas parade through the streets of Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 24, 2006, for the start of the annual World Santa Claus Congress. The Santas gathered to discuss important issues such as the date of Christmas, reindeer feed and the size of next season's presents.

Santas help Lady Santa Monica Lonrusten of Norway off their bus on her arrival at the 43rd annual World Santa Claus Congress on July 24, 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The annual meeting includes competitions in belly shaking chuckles and a Christmas tree trimming contest, plus debates on important topics such as whether Christmas should be celebrated more on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Father Christmases and their helpers from 10 European countries, the United States and Japan were meeting for their 43rd annual get-together at Bakken, the oldest theme park in the world, located just north of Copenhagen, on July 24, 2006.

With temperatures in the 90s, two sweltering Santas prepare to parade through the streets of Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen, Denmark, on July 24, 2006. "It is hot. One would even believe it was summer," one Danish Santa sighed under his fake white beard before disappearing into the sea of red and white.