This story will put you in the Christmas spirit.

Shopping centre Santas are a Christmas institution, and the joy that they bring to so many over the festive season can often go overlooked. One mammy got in touch with our bros at JOE to let them know that the resident Santa Claus in Laois Shopping Centre goes "above and beyond" to put a smile on her son Michael's face. Michael is 29 with special needs and is absolutely obsessed with Santa, so Christmas is an incredibly important time of the year for him. He visits Santa in Laois Shopping Centre every day throughout December and the staff always make a fuss over him, remembering him by name and allowing him to go straight to the front of queue. "They never charge him and never rush him. They always insist on taking a photo with Michael and Santa even gets the elves involved. I am so touched by their kindness and generosity, the make his day, his Christmas, his year," Michael's mam told us. She even provided photos of an over the moon Michael hanging out with his pal Santa. The family also go all out decorating the house for Christmas — this is certainly one of the most spledidly decked out homes we've seen.