diff --git a/code/modules/events/ghost_role/abductor.dm b/code/modules/events/ghost_role/abductor.dm
index dfa20885f0c..7ad20cff1eb 100644
--- a/code/modules/events/ghost_role/abductor.dm
+++ b/code/modules/events/ghost_role/abductor.dm
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 /datum/round_event/ghost_role/abductor/spawn_role()
 	var/list/mob/dead/observer/candidates = SSpolling.poll_ghost_candidates(check_jobban = ROLE_ABDUCTOR, role = ROLE_ABDUCTOR, alert_pic = /obj/item/melee/baton/abductor, role_name_text = role_name, amount_to_pick = 2)
 
-	if(candidates.len < 2)
+	if(length(candidates) < 2)
 		return NOT_ENOUGH_PLAYERS
 
 	SSmapping.lazy_load_template(LAZY_TEMPLATE_KEY_ABDUCTOR_SHIPS)
diff --git a/code/modules/events/ghost_role/alien_infestation.dm b/code/modules/events/ghost_role/alien_infestation.dm
index 88e79fd7d60..1c0c938ce89 100644
--- a/code/modules/events/ghost_role/alien_infestation.dm
+++ b/code/modules/events/ghost_role/alien_infestation.dm
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
 
 	var/list/candidates = SSpolling.poll_ghost_candidates(check_jobban = ROLE_ALIEN, role = ROLE_ALIEN, alert_pic = /mob/living/carbon/alien/larva, role_name_text = role_name)
 
-	if(!candidates.len)
+	if(!length(candidates))
 		return NOT_ENOUGH_PLAYERS
 
 	while(spawncount > 0 && vents.len && candidates.len)
diff --git a/code/modules/events/ghost_role/sentience.dm b/code/modules/events/ghost_role/sentience.dm
index 3aeebd298f4..e60498a90d0 100644
--- a/code/modules/events/ghost_role/sentience.dm
+++ b/code/modules/events/ghost_role/sentience.dm
@@ -49,8 +49,9 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(high_priority_sentience, typecacheof(list(
 	priority_announce(sentience_report,"[command_name()] Medium-Priority Update")
 
 /datum/round_event/ghost_role/sentience/spawn_role()
-	var/list/mob/dead/observer/candidates
-	candidates = SSpolling.poll_ghost_candidates(check_jobban = ROLE_SENTIENCE, role = ROLE_SENTIENCE, alert_pic = /obj/item/slimepotion/slime/sentience, role_name_text = role_name)
+	var/list/mob/dead/observer/candidates = SSpolling.poll_ghost_candidates(check_jobban = ROLE_SENTIENCE, role = ROLE_SENTIENCE, alert_pic = /obj/item/slimepotion/slime/sentience, role_name_text = role_name)
+	if(!length(candidates))
+		return NOT_ENOUGH_PLAYERS
 
 	// find our chosen mob to breathe life into
 	// Mobs have to be simple animals, mindless, on station, and NOT holograms.
diff --git a/code/modules/events/holiday/xmas.dm b/code/modules/events/holiday/xmas.dm
index 20c4af94abd..eeed75d2299 100644
--- a/code/modules/events/holiday/xmas.dm
+++ b/code/modules/events/holiday/xmas.dm
@@ -70,23 +70,25 @@
 /datum/round_event_control/santa
 	name = "Visit by Santa"
 	holidayID = CHRISTMAS
-	typepath = /datum/round_event/santa
+	typepath = /datum/round_event/ghost_role/santa
 	weight = 20
 	max_occurrences = 1
 	earliest_start = 30 MINUTES
 	category = EVENT_CATEGORY_HOLIDAY
 	description = "Spawns santa, who shall roam the station, handing out gifts."
 
-/datum/round_event/santa
+/datum/round_event/ghost_role/santa
+	role_name = "Santa"
 	var/mob/living/carbon/human/santa //who is our santa?
 
-/datum/round_event/santa/announce(fake)
+/datum/round_event/ghost_role/santa/announce(fake)
 	priority_announce("Santa is coming to town!", "Unknown Transmission")
 
-/datum/round_event/santa/start()
+/datum/round_event/ghost_role/santa/start()
 	var/mob/chosen_one = SSpolling.poll_ghost_candidates("Santa is coming to town! Do you want to be [span_notice("Santa")]?", poll_time = 15 SECONDS, alert_pic = /obj/item/clothing/head/costume/santa, role_name_text = "santa", amount_to_pick = 1)
-	if(chosen_one)
-		santa = new /mob/living/carbon/human(pick(GLOB.blobstart))
-		santa.key = chosen_one.key
-		var/datum/antagonist/santa/A = new
-		santa.mind.add_antag_datum(A)
+	if(isnull(chosen_one))
+		return NOT_ENOUGH_PLAYERS
+	santa = new /mob/living/carbon/human(pick(GLOB.blobstart))
+	santa.key = chosen_one.key
+	var/datum/antagonist/santa/A = new
+	santa.mind.add_antag_datum(A)