Halloween is behind us, which means it’s time to start thinking about the holidays! As with everything else in 2020, certain holiday staples will be different this year because of the pandemic. That list includes visiting Santa at various malls and stores. We learned last month that ole St. Nick won’t be appearing at Macy’s for the first time in 150 years. However, there are still other places where you can catch a glimpse of the big man. According to Good Morning America, a “Contactless Claus” program is being implemented by Bass Pro Shops and its subsidiary Cabela’s which will see clear shields covering Santa. There are also in-person visits happening at Brookfield’s 130-plus mall locations, but there will be some changes.
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According to a Brookfield spokesperson, they’ve arranged various social distance set-ups so folks can visit with Santa in a safe way. “All sets are equipped with health and safety features, including social distancing, hand-sanitizing stations, and ‘intense’ cleanings. Reservations are recommended,” GMA writes. The malls are also offering virtual visits with Father Christmas, which you can learn more about at www.JingleRing.com. You can read Good Morning America‘s full article, and view an image of a social distance Santa set-up, in the tweet below:
The Santa-visit tradition that began 160 years ago won’t happen at New York’s iconic Macy’s Santaland this year. They won’t take place at the Chicago or San Francisco stores either. https://t.co/pOjaobN0Wl
— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 5, 2020
While you may not get to visit Santa in person this year, you will get a chance to glimpse Kurt Russell as the character once again in The Christmas Chronicles 2. The star will be joined by his real-life partner, Goldie Hawn, in the upcoming Netflix sequel. You can view the trailer here and read the synopsis below:
“It’s been two years since siblings Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy Pierce (Judah Lewis) saved Christmas, and a lot has changed. Kate, now a cynical teenager, is reluctantly spending Christmas in Cancun with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack (Jahzir Bruno). Unwilling to accept this new version of her family, Kate decides to run away. But when a mysterious, magical troublemaker named Belsnickel threatens to destroy the North Pole and end Christmas for good, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus (Kurt Russell). Written and directed by Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Harry Potter) and co-starring Goldie Hawn, THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES 2 is an action-packed adventure for the whole family that’s full of heart, humor, and holiday spirit.”
What are your thoughts on the pandemic protocols surrounding Santa visits this year? Tell us in the comments!
The Christmas Chronicles 2 arrives on November 25th, only on Netflix.
