Parents should prepare kids for ‘contactless’ visit with Santa
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Like everything else in 2020, taking children to visit with Santa Claus has been impacted by COVID-19.
This year, children won't be allowed to sit on Santa's lap during most in-person visits, so parents should prepare kids in advance, local Santas and experience providers say.
Parents should prepare kids ahead of time by explaining they won't be able to get as close as usual to Santa.
"Parents should keep the explanation simple," Santa Mark Stephens of Altoona said. He suggests telling children: "Santa's trying to be socially distant so he stays healthy and can continue his tradition of bringing presents on Christmas Eve."
At the Logan Valley Mall, Santa and his helpers will follow CDC guidelines and wear masks, according to information provided by Cherry Hill Programs.
"Reservations to visit Santa are strongly encouraged, and we anticipate guests will notice much shorter wait times as a result. During the visit, children will absolutely be able to have a magical visit with Santa to share smiles and their wish list while maintaining social distance," Cherry Hill Programs says.
A Dec. 3 post on the Logan Valley Mall Facebook page emphasizes that Cherry Hill Programs requires children older than 2 to wear masks during their visit with Santa.
Cherry Hill, a firm that hires 1,000 Santas and 10,000 seasonal associates at 700 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada, said Santa and his helpers also will have daily health screenings and temperature checks in addition to the company's focus on hygiene and cleanliness at each location.
Don Kirk of Patton waved to children from a fire truck during the town's annual light up night Nov. 27 and plans to offer virtual visits through the Patton Public Library on dates this month through a signup process.
"It's terrible this year," Kirk said. "I feel I am letting people down. But I'll be 63 on Dec. 7, and I don't want to die yet. I love doing this and have been doing it for 40 years now."
Waving from the fire truck was the safest option, he said because "kids see Santa and they lose all control and want to sit in your lap," he said.
Stephens, formerly of Patton, and Kirk's godson, said that happened at a venue he appeared at recently, but it was parents or grandparents who ignored the signage.
"Kids are so used to sitting with Santa, but it's so different this year," Santa Stephens said. "Most of the kids seem to understand, but it's the parents and grandparents that just hand the kids up. Unfortunately, I have to correct them and tell them I'm not able to sit with them this year so I can stay well. Some of the adults mumble and grumble as people don't take it seriously."
Yes, Virginia, Santa does get sick with coronavirus.
Professional photographer Della Watters of Everett had a Santa with his own long hair and beard scheduled for her Christmas photos since she met him on a local golf course in June 2019. He played Santa last holiday season to rave reviews.
But the virus hit him a few weeks prior to her first session Nov. 21. Fortunately, she found a substitute who wears artificial hair and beard.
So far, Watters has had 20 families pose with Santa with additional families using her studio inside scenes. Only one family asked for a refund when they realized Santa's hair and beard were artificial.
Santa wears a mask beneath his beard and sits in a restored vintage sleigh and children or families pose around it in an unheated barn, where the air circulates well.
"Most parents are happy with the setup. It's an opportunity to still make a Christmas memory but not risk being exposed during this uncertain time," she said. "It's 2020 -- nothing goes as planned."
Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.