Chances are, you won’t see Mommy kissing Santa Claus this year because even Saint Nick has to keep socially distanced.
No year is complete without the joy that comes with kids meeting Father Christmas, though, so let’s not make a chat with Santa another thing you have to sacrifice in 2020.
Luckily, WiFi does reach the North Pole so here’s how you can set up a virtual call with Father Christmas…
How to set up a call with Santa online
They say necessity is the mother of invention, and one company which is testament to this is Santascallingyou.co.uk.
The service was set up by actor James Bartlett who spotted a gap in the market for actors and others who lost work in the pandemic, who could help keep some Christmas magic.
The website allows you to set up calls with Santa, Mrs Claus, one of his elves and a ‘Santa Story Time’ option.
Prices start from £19.99.
Other providers of similar services include Santa’s Lapland, which would normally organise trips to meet Santa in a suitably seasonal setting.
On their website for the video service, a message from Santa reads: ‘It’s no secret that Christmas is my favourite time of year. I spend all year getting excited to welcome you to my home in Lapland and December never lasts long enough. But this year we all have to stay a safe distance apart, so I’m hoping families will welcome me into their homes, by the magic of video instead.
‘I’m not the best with technology, I prefer magic reindeer dust, but my clever little helpers have been busy setting up a way to talk with me online, so I can still help make your Christmas wishes come true from afar.’
Prices start from £85.
Your Virtual Santa will also allow you to set up a live chat and tour of Santa’s Grotto, or you can opt for a pre-recorded message instead.
Elfi Santa also allows you to choose a video or letter from Santa, with different options including one where Santa introduces his playful puppies from his home.
Seeing Santa’s sleigh in your town
One tradition that most councils run each year include organising for Santa’s sleigh to ride through the streets throughout December.
It is thought that this is still possible this year, as some councils have announced it’s still going ahead, but following Covid restrictions.
Areas like Holmes Chapel in Cheshire will have Santa’s sleigh ride through parts of the village, and ask that kids (and adults) applaud from a distance to cheer Santa up.
Santa will also be riding through Coventry – if you want to check with your local area, get in touch with the local council or Round Table.
MORE : Plans to allow several families to mix at Christmas ‘to be announced next week’
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