What, Santa Sits on YOUR Lap?

Dec. 21, 2010— -- Think Santa arrives on a reindeer-driven sleigh and then magically slides down your chimney?

Maybe in the fairy tales. But these days Santa has had to adapt and find all sorts of creative ways to make his grand entrance.

Whether it's donning a pair of skis, jumping out of a plane or grabbing a surf board, Santa has found new and unusual ways to spread holiday joy. There's even a sexy Santa -- a buff, shirtless man whose sleigh is pulled by Ferraris. His helpers: Miami Dolphins cheerleaders. We guess he's not stopping for milk and cookies at each house.

But the most unusual of these modern-age Santas might just be the 4-foot, 5-inch one at Ripley's Believe It or Not in New York's Times Square. This so-called reverse Santa actually sits on your lap.

"It puts a different twist on going to meet Santa," said Jon Sinish, who plays the role for Ripley's. "Everybody's been laughing. They are in on what's happening."

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The reverse Santa isn't so much about telling Santa what you want for Christmas -- Ripley's leaves that up to the department stores and malls -- but really about a good photo opportunity. (They of course sell visitors the image and can add it to key chains and magnets.)

Sinish is hardly alone in finding unique ways to bring holiday joy to people around the world. Here is a roundup of some of our favorite Santas.

Zip Line Santa: At Adventures on the Gorge in West Virginia, Santa joins those taking a zip line canopy tour through the snowy tree tops. Guests zip through a forest of rhododendrons and old-growth Eastern Hemlocks while getting a bit of the jolly North Pole spirit. Across the country -- and a bit warmer -- California's Catalina Island also has a Santa who enjoys zip lines.