Tis the season to be jolly! 

A Hong Kong man bagged the 2015 best Santa Claus in the world title in Sweden's yearly competition. But the show was not over yet after the grand winner was declared, he surprised his girlfriend and spectators by making a marriage proposal live on TV!

Using the moniker Santa Apple, winner Xiaojie Qie outrivaled four other Santas in Santa Winter Games 2015 held in Gällivare, about 100km north of the Arctic Circle on Saturday.

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Among his competitors are Germany's Santa Christine, China's Santa Jim, Sweden's Santa Möre and former champ Japan's Santa Yamashita. 

The participants, who are required to perfom Santa-like activities such as pushing the sleigh, riding a mechanical reindeer, eating porridge, stacking parcels and relaying tress, are generally jolly men with silver, curly hair and red cheeks. 

Local.se reports that ever since the 44-year-old magician came out triumphant in 2009, Hong Kong Santas have been forced to reckon with in this prestigious competition. 

Hong Kong Santas never come in unprepared. Back in the subtropical country, they go through a qualifier rounds and have to defeat other aspiring contestants. The rightful representative is then subjected to a 10-day stringent bootcamp sponsored by one of the country's biggest developer Sun Hung Kai.

The company also pays for the other necessities like materials and equipment for Santa training including a Swedish sled to practice. Since then, organizer Svalenstrom once told the Journal that "It's always more Santas from Hong Kong."

After this year's contest, Xiaojie asked for his girlfriend's hand in marriage.

Meanwhile, Santa Yamashita was reportedly the darling of the crowd during the run-up of the competition. But he was rushed to the nearest medical facility after slipping on the ice during the parcel-stacking round. He came back to his hotel with a sad face after the competition was finished.

Tagssanta, Santa Claus, Christmas season, Santa Winter Games, Hong Kong Santa, Sweden Santa contest, Santa proposed on TV, Santa Winter Games 2015, 2015 Best Santa Claus in the World, Santa Apple, Xiajie Qie