Boston firefighter dressed as Buddy the Elf, challenging people to pillow fights

[Glasgow]

Everyone gets into the Christmas spirit differently, whether it’s by decorating a tree, their house or even their street.

But there is one man who is spreading Christmas cheer in a rather unusual way - by dressing up as an elf and challenging people to pillow fights.

Equipped with two pillows in hand, Boston firefighter Brendan Sullivan, walks through shopping malls inviting strangers to have a go aka Buddy the Elf-style.

Mr Sullivan explained his love for the Will Ferrell movie, and the fact he already had a costume, helped bring the idea to fruition.

“My brother Ryan and I wanted to make a funny video… don’t ask me why but I already had a Buddy the Elf costume so we added that to the idea,” Mr Sullivan said. “As we were trying to come up with ideas on how to engage with the public, pillow fighting stuck out so we tried it.”

So the pair hit the streets of Boston to challenge unsuspecting passers-by to pillow fights.

They posted the video online on Tuesday, and it went viral, with more than 10 million views in just two days.

Mr Sullivan said he had made short comedies in the past, with the most popular only reaching around 3000 views. So when this video took off, he said he was blown away.

“We went from small town kids to Ellen DeGeneres, hopefully,” he laughed.

Mr Sullivan, who is also a veteran, said he received a positive reception from the random punters, or ‘pillow knights’ as he called them, when he threw them a pillow.

He also said he enjoyed his new found fame - being known as the man spreading Christmas cheer throughout Boston, and the world.

“I feel like Santa Claus when you say it like that, or even better, BUDDY THE ELF!” he said.