COVID-19 has canceled many things in 2020 but Santa vows he will not make the list.
Children everywhere are excited to see Santa during the holidays. While that will look different this year, Santa has come up with several ways to visit during the pandemic.
Henry Topham, a 9-year-old Longmont resident, said he is sad to not see Santa this year. Each year his family goes together to see the jolly old elf. They drink hot cocoa and take pictures.
“We always take a picture with Santa,” Topham said.
He said he will miss the fun family event this year.
Boys and girls might not get to climb on Santa’s lap or get in close for a photo this year, however, Santa will be out and about.
“People are being very creative,” Santa said. “I’m delighted to see children. I’m looking forward to it a great deal,” Santa said.
The Prospect neighborhood in south Longmont will see Santa ride a horse-drawn carriage down the streets as he waves at children, who are asked to remain on their porches.
The Longmont Colorado Amateur Radio Club has teamed up with Santa to host a talk over ham radio.
“Santa's friends at the Longmont Colorado Amateur Radio Club will link my worldwide ELF Network to their W-zero-E-N-O repeaters. Please invite all children near your station to visit with me via ham radio on Dec. 1-5 between 6 and 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time,” Santa said. His call sign is N-zero-P.
Some children will get to see Santa through a Zoom call arranged by their parents. Santa said he and his elves improved their internet connection at the North Pole.
“It’s all Zoom, Zoom, Zoom and away we go,” Santa said.
He also will be making appearances at some area malls, including Village at the Peaks, where children can plan no-contact visits by appointment.
Santa said he, too, can get sick and plans to wear a mask.
“I’m going to wear a mask like everybody else is because I want to protect other people as well as myself. I don’t want to carry the coronavirus back to the North Pole,” he said.
Due to the virus, Santa said children might not get all the gifts they are hoping for as “the elves are having trouble, like everyone else, getting gifts created,” he said.
But not everything people need comes wrapped under the tree, Santa said.
“Children need more this year ... They need hope, they need some joy, they need love, understanding, encouragement and kindness. There is hardly a family who hasn’t been touched by (the coronavirus) somehow,” he said.
Kindness is by far the top priority for Santa, to the point that two years ago, he began a new list, a kindness list, to replace the naughty and nice list.
“All children are on the nice list,” he said.
This list tells Santa how kind kids have been to those around them and exactly what that kindness was.
“You should be kind every day, kind to those who love you, kind to those who don’t love you, kind to those who are nice to you, kind to those who are not nice to you, kind to those you agree with, kind to those you don’t agree with ... This goes for children and adults,” he said.
“The nice thing about most kindness is to the person giving the kindness, it's a small thing, we don’t think about it … And yet a small thing can stick with the person who received it for the rest of their life. It can literally change their life. That’s the power of kindness,” Santa said.
In a time where so much is different, Santa has had to change his plans too, however, he wants all the children to know he will be there Christmas Eve.
“Nothing will stop Santa from delivering,” he said.
Where to find Santa
Village at the Peaks
Reservations are available for outdoor, contactless visits. Masks are required for children 2 and older. Children can still pose for pictures with Santa during the eight days Santa is on site, beginning Dec. 5, and they will get 15 minutes to talk to Santa. Each session is $5 per family, which will be donated to the OUR Center.
Santa’s visits at the Village at the Peaks are conditional based on COVID-19 guidelines, according to Renatta Banning, property and marketing manager.
Tickets can be purchased at the following links.
Dec. 5: https://bit.ly/3nVVFxo
Dec. 6: https://bit.ly/2J9iAGl
Dec. 12: https://bit.ly/2JbrdQp
Dec. 13h: https://bit.ly/3o6dDNN
Dec. 19: https://bit.ly/3nXbFiD
Dec. 20: https://bit.ly/2Ja6OLC
Flatirons Crossing Mall
Santa arrived at the Broomfield mall on Nov. 21 for free socially distanced visits. Masks are required. Reservations are recommended and can be made here.
On Zoom
For parents looking to schedule a Zoom visit with Santa, here a few helpful links
A quick Google search brings up many other options for Zoom calls with Santa at various prices.
Questions for Santa
For children who might not get to see or talk to Santa this year, The Longmont Leader will take submitted questions and ask Santa for the answers. Please email questions to [email protected].
Here are a few we already received:
How do you make horses?
Santa: Well the live horses I don't "make." We raise them from small ponies just as you would on a ranch or farm. For small stuffed animal horses, we make them with cloth and stuffing, just like a teddy bear but a different shape.
Is Santa staying healthy?
Santa: Absolutely, we are using "social distancing" and wearing masks and washing our hands, just like the doctors are telling you to do.
Is Santa going to be delivering presents this year?
Santa: Yes, I will be delivering presents. However, there may be a few less presents. Some of the elves have gotten sick and unable to make presents. Also, the companies that send us the raw materials to make the presents have not been able to send us as much as we need.
Will Santa know where I am this Christmas?
Santa: Yes, indeed. There is a special team of Elves who keep track of where every child will be on Christmas Eve so that I don't miss anyone.
(Editor’s note: Longmont resident John Chilson usually plays the role of Santa at several Longmont events including the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Roosevelt Park and provided the answers included here.)
