What childhood memory was more magical than the trip to visit with Santa Claus?
In my hometown of Chatham, it was a trip uptown to the Eaton’s store where we stepped into a giant golden elevator (as I recall) where a lovely elevator operator, perched on her wooden stool, pushed the button to the third floor.
Yes, there was a lady who operated the elevator at that time — carefully aligning the platform to the perfect spot, opening the giant metal doors and sending you off with a friendly “watch your step.”
There it was — Santa’s Toy Land.
We made our way through the seven levels of the candy cane forest through the sea of swirly twirly gumdrops (oh wait, sorry that was from Elf the movie). Maybe we just trudged through the aisles of overpriced toys to the spot where Santa’s big, red velvet chair was sitting empty.
But, soon he would appear in all his magical elegance.
The fact I still can envision this so many decades later affirms it was a very important memory.
So, I feel so sad that in 2020 little children will not get the same kind of experience.
Santa can’t hug a child? That seems so wrong. A kid cannot sit close to Santa, but must be either six feet away on a bench or with plexiglass in between.
Pictures with Santa with a glass barrier. Reminds me of a prison visitation.
It makes me want to cry.
I understand everyone is trying to be safe and doing the best they can in an unprecedented situation, but I still think it’s a shame.
The traditional set-up with Santa in a back corner of a store, with little ventilation, is obviously a high-risk atmosphere. If Santa has that velvet suit, a beard, a mask and a visor how jolly can he really be? I would hyperventilate and pass out.
Too many little children together in close proximity is also not a good idea.
Health officials have suggested either forego the visit or find an outdoor spot.
In other cases, there are Zoom meetings with Santa live from the North Pole or his workshop or the reindeer farm. Online reservations are required.
Please assure me Santa always wears trousers on his Zoom calls ... unlike the rest of us.
Again, kudos to those being creative and thinking outside the box.
I guess it's better than nothing, but it seems so impersonal. Santa is one of the all time great huggers!
I was pleased that U.S. medical expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has clarified that Santa will not spread COVID-19.
As he told USA Today: “Santa is exempt. Because of all his good qualities, he has a good innate immunity. Santa is not going to spread any infections to anyone.”
NORAD, or the North American Aerospace Defence Command, will also continue to track St. Nick’s journey as it has done for the last 65 years and we can all follow along.
It has been a crazy year, so however you connect with Santa, I hope it is meaningful.
Children had a rough 2020, too. They deserve all the joy we can muster.
Send the letter. Watch the sky on Christmas Eve. Check the lawn for hoof prints. Leave out the cookies and milk and maybe some sanitizer for the road.
