Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Barack Obama dons Santa hat to deliver Christmas presents to children

Barack Obama has a new job

Chelsea Ritschel
New York
Friday 15 December 2017 12:29 EST
Comments
Barack Obama dresses up in festive outfit to surprise kids at the Boys and Girls Club

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former President Obama now has a new title - and it’s Santa Claus.

Showing off his holiday spirit on Thursday, Barack Obama proved he makes a pretty cool Father Christmas when he donned a leather jacket and a Santa hat during a visit to the Boys & Girls Club in Washington, DC.

Visiting 50 middle school students at the Jelleff Club in Northeast Washington, the former president looked full of Christmas joy as he laughed and posed with the students.

In addition to cracking smiles and shaking hands with adults and kids alike, Obama immersed himself in the role of Santa.

The former president completed the look with a present-laden green sack tied with a purple ribbon from which he handed out presents to the kids.

The best present, however, may have been the opportunity to meet and talk with the former president, who stayed and chatted with the middle-schoolers for half an hour.

The children, who were there to take part in after-school activities at their local branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs, seemed overjoyed during the visit with Barack Obama-Claus.

Clearly at home in his new role, Obama shared a photo of the occasion on social media, along with the caption, “There’s no better time than the holiday season to reach out and give back to our communities. Great to hear from young people at the Boys & Girls Club in DC today.”

Obama’s picture features him sporting a huge grin, surrounded by happy children, with one child perched in his lap.

But even when he’s not dressed as Santa, Obama makes sure to make time for the children - since leaving the White House in January, he and former first lady Michelle Obama have visited four other DC schools and community centres unannounced.

While it is common knowledge the former president has a soft spot for children, it is clear from their smiling faces that the feelings are mutual.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in