RCMP in B.C. say "Christmas spirits" likely got the best of two Santas accused of decking the halls of a fellow holiday-time reveller.

Witnesses told police a brawl broke out in a North Vancouver pub Friday night after a man in his 20s approached the two rather jolly old elves.

Cpl. Richard De Jong says festive moods turned to fighting words, and at one point one of the Kris Kringle-suited men apparently threw a punch.

Staff at the Rusty Gull pub announced they had dialled up police, prompting the Santas to flee.

De Jong says patrols were unable to locate them, adding he hopes that kind of ruckus only happens once a year.

The man who was slugged was released from hospital with minor injuries and did not press charges.