COVID-19 brings changes to Christmas spirit around the globe
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By Park Han-sol
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the world as we know it and long-held Christmas holiday traditions are no exception. Due to COVID-19-related difficulties, this year some children are visiting Santa Claus on Zoom while the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign will be held in Korea on digital platforms.
From one Danish zoo's decision to place Santa Claus inside a giant snow globe to some U.S. malls requiring the use of face masks, plexiglass and plastic shields, in-person visits with St. Nicholas have undergone a significant transformation this year. Going one step further from such social distancing meetings are virtual Zoom calls with the Claus himself.
American websites such as VisitFromtheClauses.com and TalktoSanta.com are enjoying a surge of popularity as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise.
"We're expecting to triple or quadruple our income this season," Don White, a 79-year-old performer of Santa. Claus in VisitFromtheClauses.com, said during an interview with CNN, Saturday.
Against a festive backdrop with a Christmas tree, a cozy fireplace and colorful stockings, performers dressed up as the North Pole's iconic couple Santa and Mrs. Claus engage in live or pre-recorded video or phone calls with families eager for some cheerful holiday spirit. Each call contains personalized greetings and messages and can last from five minutes to a half an hour, which is much longer than typical in-person meet-and-greets.
In the U.S., department store giant Macy's, famed for its annual in-person visits with Father Christmas at its flagship store in New York, has also announced it will transition to an online event this year, putting a temporary stop to the holiday tradition that started nearly 160 years ago.
Through “Macy's Santaland at Home” webpage, the company offers a free interactive experience, where children can go on a virtual tour of Santa's toy shop in the North Pole and take a selfie with him. Families can also participate in events on Facebook Live throughout the month, which include crafts, sing-a-longs, and workshops for children wanting to learn how to write letters to Santa or learn how to make reindeer treats.
The UK-based “Santa HQ” even brings St. Nicholas to the mobile screen, allowing children to complete 32 video-led activities every day from Nov. 25 and talk about them with the professionally trained Santa Claus during their personalized calls.
In Korea, the Salvation Army's street fundraising is another eye-catching event during Christmas season. This year, the charitable organization launched its bell ringing ceremony live on YouTube, Dec. 1, for the first time in its 92-year-history.
The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign will be held at nearly 330 locations nationwide until the end of this year. To curb the spread of the virus, all red kettles will be accompanied by QR codes and scanners for deferred-payment transportation cards, allowing for contactless payments. Citizens can also make donations online.
A Christmas market started by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups last year in Seoul will also be held online, with a minimum number of offline activities, according to Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, Monday.
“To console people amid the third wave of infections at the end of the year, we will hold a contactless online live market from Dec. 19 to 27, complying with the strictest quarantine rules,” Hong said.
The event will feature more than 12,000 small-scale entrepreneurs and small to mid-size businesses as well as 2,800 supermarkets and traditional markets. Offline events will be held in Jongno District, central Seoul and online events include live sales and special discounts.