So, your kids can’t visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus this year due to the pandemic.
Well, actually… How about festive up close and personal virtual visits through Zoom?
Two local individuals are offering families a chance to get the full Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus experience.
The couple, that didn’t want to disclose their actual identities to preserve the mystique of Santa and Mrs. Claus (however they are good friends with Mark Miller and Cami Miller in Kissimmee), offer 15-minute special sessions.
“Our mission is about spreading cheer and giving the children a Christmas,” said Mrs. Claus.
Because so many holiday theme park events, parades and visits with Santa have been cancelled due to COVID-19, the couple, which combined, have more than 50 years of performing at Walt Disney World, decided to go the virtual route.
When parents register for the visit, they provide information about their children. That includes some “fun facts” such as the names of their pets, the name of their Elf on a Shelf and hobbies, Mrs. Claus noted.
Sometimes they are given information on what the children are working on to better themselves.
However, the naughty list is never mentioned.
“We keep it light hearted. We keep it positive,” said Mrs. Claus.
After greeting the kids on the Zoom chat, the couple will sing Jingle Bells, read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, tell some Christmas jokes and holiday trivia.
Then, the family can switch the Zoom to a gallery view, so they are side by side with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“So they can still get a picture of Santa,” said Santa Claus.
They also offer a faith-based program where the two will sing Joy to the World and read the story of the Nativity instead.
The joyous occasion has really taken off. They have scheduled calls for as far away as London.
“Santa is really all over the world,” Santa Claus said. “Santa finds a way. The magic of Christmas cannot be stopped. No pandemic is strong enough to stop this.”
On Tuesday, Santa and Mrs. Claus were interacting with two girls from Kentucky, ages 10 and 8.
“I thought it was magical. I actually asked them (Santa, Mrs. Claus) if we could do it again next year,” said Laura Bennett, the mother of the girls.
She learned about the service after one of her friends referenced it on Facebook.
Bennett said the girls were surprised how much Santa and Mrs. Claus knew about them.
“They loved it. They loved it,” Bennett said.
How often are the calls scheduled? On Tuesday, Santa and Mrs. Claus had appointments from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a one-hour break.
“The world is heavy right now and we need to look for that magic and keep that magic alive in children,” said Mrs. Claus.
Santa added that it was “spreading a little light in a dark world.”
For more information or to book an appointment, go to www.facebook.com/ SantaAndMrsClausVisits.
