Seeing Santa safely

A salve at the end of a tumultuous year

Seeing Santa is for many families a holiday tradition that goes back generations. It’s the annual snapshot that year-after-year marks the passage of time, and a reminder that children believe in magic, and that a jolly bearded man can make their wishes come true.

But it’s Christmas in 2020, and everything is different. Santa sits behind plexiglass, or in a life-sized snow globe. And then, of course, there’s Zoom Santa.

Associated Press photographers set out to capture the socially distanced, decidedly 2020 Santa visits taking place across the United States.

Much of the tradition is altered this year. Sitting on Santa’s lap is out. There is no whispering of wish lists into his ear. Getting in to see Santa this year often requires making an appointment and temperature checks upon arrival. Many stores, from Macy’s and Nieman Marcus to smaller venues around the country, have opted for virtual visits.

Conversations with Santa this year, inevitably, include the virus.

Kids ask if Santa will wear a mask when he visits their homes on Christmas Eve. He asks in turn if they’ve been naughty or nice — and good about washing their hands with water AND soap.

Some children have lost parents, grandparents or other loved ones. They miss their schools and friends.

Yet the Christmas spirit endures.

“It’s different this year, but it’s still magical,” said Larry Jefferson, who has converted a room in his suburban Dallas home to Santa’s workshop where he conducts virtual visits. “The children see me on the

(The Oklahoman/Doug Hoke) A young girl and boy visit with the Santa in a snow globe during Automobile Alley’s Lights on Broadway in Oklahoma City.

(AP/LM Otero) Larry Jefferson portrays Santa Claus and visits via computer with Raquel Anaya and her cousins Lexi and Luna Reyes from his home in Duncanville, Texas.

(AP/John Locher) Santa Claus actors Larry Hansen (from left), Charlie Bush and Bill Sandeen wear masks as a precaution against coronavirus while waiting before the opening of a Santa drive-thru selfie station at Glittering Lights in Las Vegas.

(AP/Lynne Sladky) Santa Claus adjusts his protective face shield between visits from children and their families at Bass Pro Shops in Miami.

(AP/Ashley Landis) William Peargin (left) and Payton Peargin, both 8, pose for a socially distant photo with Santa Claus, who sits behind a sheet of plexiglass at Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

(AP/Charles Rex Arbogast) A young boy watches as a reflected Santa waves while visiting Santa’s Garage on top of a parking deck near Soldier Field in Chicago.