What is the world coming to when St. Nick can’t keep a job? This year, Santa’s riding the New Jersey Transit trains and New York City subways. John Hauck, 71, dons the traditional red suit and commutes two-and-half-hours from Pennsylvania to New York, because, like most businesses these days, even the Santa business is struggling.

For the past five years, he has worked at the local Granite Run Mall in Delaware County, Pa., but he was laid off when the mall had to cut back on Santas from its holiday display. "I worked four days a week, 10-hour days, full days," he said. "I counted on that money every year. It’s gone now."  To make up for the lack of work, Hauck commutes into New York.

"I’m coming to New York to make what I can and I’m doing whatever I can," Hauck said. "I’m doing some tree-lighting stuff and some private parties and things."