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.