Santa Claus, directly inspired by the traditional Christmas figure, is a recurring character in the Pokémon anime. Entrusted with delivering gifts globally to well-behaved children, he uses a sleigh for transportation during his annual deliveries and resides at the North Pole. In "Pocket Monsters: Pikachu no Fuyuyasumi 2000," Santa Claus confronts a crisis when his Stantler—a reindeer-like Pokémon vital to pulling his gift-laden sleigh—falls ill, jeopardizing Christmas Eve deliveries. He enlists Pikachu and its companion Pokémon to find a specific berry that cures Stantler. Their successful mission ensures Stantler recovers and Christmas proceeds.

Santa Claus also collaborates with other Pokémon, notably Delibird, a penguin-like Pokémon with a tail shaped like a gift sack, which assists in present delivery. On one occasion, Delibird accidentally loses its gift cargo. Pikachu and fellow Pokémon intervene to recover the missing presents, enabling Santa to meet the midnight Christmas deadline. These events highlight Santa Claus's role in coordinating Pokémon helpers to overcome logistical challenges inherent in his yearly gift-giving mission.