Christmas 2021 is Covid-scarred, but how is Santa Claus keeping up? Here are 6 unique ones
As kids, most of us have grown up reading and watching Santa dashing through the snow, on a one-horse open sleigh. There are reindeer, and Ho Ho Ho. His sledge would carry sacks packed with gifts and he would often stop and gift the kids with imaginary toys and fill their colourful stockings, hung at fireplaces, with goodies.
We also have often seen Santas in public places, sharing gifts and balloons during this time. But since Covid, many Santas around the world have had to change with time. With demand for Santas at an all-time high across nations, here is a look at how Santas are showing up these days.
1. SANTA ON A BOAT
In the hot region of Parana da Terra Nova, 24 kilometers from Manaus, the largest city in Amazon, Brazil, a Santa comes on boat and rings a bell on the way to indicate his arrival. Children wait for him on the edge of the river as he cheerily shouts "Merry Christmas". This is part of a seasonal initiative by nonprofit group Friends of Father Christmas, where he travels to impoverished communities of Ribeirinhos, or families living along the river, to spread joy!
This Not-Your-Average-Santa opens his arms to greet the giddy children who run up to meet him. But before that, Santa has to borrow a small boat to get into the river and walk with trepidation across a rough-hewn wooden footbridge to arrive at the destination. This has a huge payoff though - the ear-to-ear smiles on the faces of children who can temporarily forget the harsh realities of life in a poverty-stricken, Covid-scarred region.
2. SANTA ON A LADDER
#BREAKING #PERU?PERU: SPECIAL CHRISTMAS DELIVERY! ?DEAR SANTA VISITS COVID-19 ISOLATION CENTER IN LIMA! ? ? #Flash #Video #Lima #SANTA #Christmas #Christmas2021 #PapaNoel #Navidad pic.twitter.com/hmYkhnPJTH
— loveworld (@LoveWorld_Peopl) December 17, 2021
In Peru, Santa climbed on a fire engine and was lifted up in the truck's crane to deliver Christmas cheer and the presents. As Santa rode the fire truck's hydraulic crane accompanied by a firefighter, he delivered presents to quarantined children in a hospital, all of whom were surprised to see Santa on their window sill. Health workers on the ground outside danced and cheered as they celebrated the season with their accomodating Santa.
3. SANTA IN SCHOOL
School for class 1st to 7th begin with a bang in Mumbai, Thane & other parts of Maharashtra | Students welcomed by Santa at Anand Vishwa Gurukul primary section in Thane this morning. pic.twitter.com/kHC9TQB9bX
— MUMBAI NEWS (@Mumbaikhabar9) December 15, 2021
Santa Claus was present to give the kids a warm welcome in Mumbai schools as he surprised kids on the school gate as schools reopened after a long Covid break. Santa checked the temperature of these children as others showered the kids with flower petals and played dhol. Way to make school life exciting!
Mumbai, IndiaSanta Claus greets pupils at a school as it reopens for the first time in 20 monthsPhotograph: Rafiq Maqbool/AP pic.twitter.com/bBO5psilMt
— Abdulsatar Bochnak (@AbdulsatarBoch1) December 17, 2021
4. SANITISED SANTA
Mumbai Santa spreads cheers, masks and sanitizers this festive season pic.twitter.com/xg2pA9xOLR
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 18, 2020
Ashok Kurmi, another social Santa in Mumbai, with a long white beard, a Santa cap, a mask on his face and sanitiser spray machine on his back, distributed face masks among people and made social distancing boxes at bus stops to promote physical distancing in public places. He also visited slums to gift face masks and sanitisers to children and educate them and their families on the importance of wearing a face mask.
5. VIRTUAL SANTA
IN THE NONA managed to secure a super special interview with Santa & Mrs. Claus through Chit Chat With Santa. You can book your own video call with Santa &/or Mrs. Claus now through tomorrow, Christmas Eve at https://t.co/Ip5972w9OP! ????https://t.co/jtCqWSp7Rf pic.twitter.com/Sat283CtCe
— IN THE NONA (@stayinthenona) December 23, 2020
Today, you can connect with Santa on Zoom too. ChitchatWithSanta.com allows families to book Zoom calls with Santa and connect with him for 15 minutes. Here, you can talk to Mr Santa, Mrs Santa, a Spanish-speaking Santa, and a black Mr Santa and a black Mrs Santa (though we feel it is a tad bit racist). You can mention the specific topics that you want to talk to the Santa about and even mention your pet's name in the application. When you talk to him, well, let the kids be surprised with a Santa that knows it all. The chat with Santa comes at a price: US $40. (Or you could skip the chat and spend that money on gifts from, well, Santa!)
5. PROTECTED SANTA CLAUS
Try explaining Santa behind plexi glass to someone in 2019 pic.twitter.com/JJkQC19Ikp
— Dani Medina (@danimedinanews) November 23, 2020
In 2020, Santa Claus started showing up behind glass doors at Bass Pro shops in the US. Since Christmas is incomplete without Santa, Santa wore a face shield, sat behind a protective plexi glass and met kids with a fist bump. Families would make reservations, their temperatures would be checked and then children would meet 'behind-the-glass-door' Santa with their family. After each visit, Santa's elves would come up and sanitise the glass partition and well, then would invite the next kid in.
6. SANTA CARRYING A COVID PASSPORT
Tesco came up with an ad where Santa has to show his Covid vaccination certificate to travel across countries. Talk about dedication and presence.
What do you think of these Santas?