It is possible that some of you may have noted the lack of an entry yesterday…very observant of you. I hope that I will make up day four with a double entry day in the future…and if you believe that…
Yesterday’s LA Times had an article about current changes to the tradition of children visiting Santa Claus in a mall or department store.
This marriage of Christmas magic and materialism dates back to the 1890s, when the owner of a dry goods store had a Santa suit made for himself and advertised that children could visit with good St. Nick while their parents shopped. The success of this promotion soon was copied by stores across the country. Of course most of us are familiar with the department store Santa as seen in Miracle of 34th Street, A Christmas Story, Elf, and many others. The credulity of children must have been strained by the many incarnations of their favorite holiday pal in every large store in town. With the advent of shopping centers and malls, this Santa-ubiquity was addressed by having a single central location for children’s dreams (and $10 photographs).
I noticed one change to the tradition a few years ago. The outrageously enormous and ornate chairs that sat Santa and children on his lap were gradually replaced in many places by a bench, so children could tell their wishes in a safer environment. I remember feeling sad when I saw this, primarily because of the terrible realities that cause it, but at the same time I had to admit that it made good sense. Once one steps away from the “magic,” one has to admit that the yearly ritual of sitting on the lap of a stranger is just plain creepy.
Last year there were far fewer Santa experiences as shoppers avoided department stores and malls (and close contact with any individuals, no matter how merry). This year the tradition has been relaunched, but in a time as loaded with uncertainty as sugar plums, the forms are different. Many mall Santas meet with children by appointment only, often across a desk and sometimes guarded by a screen. I didn’t read about any Santas requiring proof of immunization (so Aaron Rogers can ask for his Super Bowl), but if this had been available to children earlier, who knows?
Fashion Island in Newport Beach is avoiding the risks of kids and Santas entirely by offering virtual visits with Santa Claus. The family schedules an appointment and Santa flies to the house via video call to speak with children. Heaven only knows where these Santas may have been outsourced from. I can only picture the Zoom challenges brought into this arena, “Sally, you’re on mute, Santa Can’t hear what you want,” “Mom, Santa’s frozen on the screen. Is it the cold of the North Pole?” “Sorry, Derick, your dad didn’t pay the Wi-Fi bill, so no visit to Santa this year!”
Part of the motivation of these limited access Santas is the fact that there are far few available Santas in the workforce. Given the age of the average Santa, many were prime candidates for COVID. Let’s hope that this is a safer year for all.