Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
The adorable picture is my granddaughters sitting on Santa's lap, last year. This year will be their first COVID Christmas and so there will be no more smiling faces, no more sitting on Santa's lap. It will be a COVID Grinch of a Christmas.
There are of course, holiday face masks to help them celebrate safety and adorably. Just imagine how their friends will be shouting out with glee when they spot them in their new reindeer and snowman face masks? Just think, you could be the hit of the ho-ho-holidays for your grandchildren with a fun Santa Claus mask. It almost makes one giddy just thinking of all the holiday masks that will be out in the stores this year.
Then for those of you who celebrate the holidays in a more traditional way by sending out Holiday cards. Just see what new cards are available. Face Mask Christmas Cards, sending one of these face masked-themed Christmas cards will make family and friends chuckle, while also nagging them to mask up.
But back to visiting with Santa. I have looked and found that there are several stores that have decided to sanitize the Santa visit to conform with our new COVID lifestyle.
First up, the jolly old elf, in some stores will greet children from an open-air cottage, by appointment-only. The visitors will need to wear masks, undergo temperature checks, and sanitize their hands. The visits will be limited to five per hour to allow for plenty of cleaning time. There won’t be any physical interaction with Santa and visitors will be spaced six feet apart.
Some Santa places are considering using a walkie talkie for the children to chat with Santa Claus He would be seated behind Plexiglas while the masked kids would have their temperatures taken and then be allowed to take socially-distant pictures.
However, we have it on good authority that Santa Claus is coming to town and he's not bringing COVID-19. At least, that's the word from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert. Fauci told USA TODAY that, “Santa is exempt from COVID because Santa has a lot of good innate immunity,” But for good reason children have been worried about Santa. On Christmas Eve, he travels to so many houses and there's no denying that he is chubby and not so young anymore.
Perhaps children should only see Santa this year on Zoom. That way no one has to worry about social distancing and Mom could always photoshop a picture to send to the relatives. Just set the kids on a bench take a picture and photoshop Santa into the background. So safe, no masks or social distancing required.
Then we have the Christmas parades. All spectators are encouraged to wear your favorite “Happy Holiday Mask”. Since it is difficult to social distance while watching the parade we will be making a video of the parade so you can wear your festive mask in the safety of your own home while watching the parade and drinking hot chocolate.
Then there is the newest in 2020 keepsake ornaments. It is a cute Santa carrying a sack full of hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and even a tiny thermometer. What a fun way to remember for years that 2020 was a Merry COVID-Christmas.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We need to find the perfect tree to celebrate this special year when we will all be home together under that special tree.
But before you go, it's crucial to keep in mind the current Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. So make a note to be sure to pack your face masks, hand sanitizers (with a minimum of 60% alcohol), and tissues. Check the website for your local tree farm to find out what restrictions they have so you are properly prepared. They'll likely require you to stay socially distanced (six feet apart) from other visitors while you're examining the trees and taking magical pictures to send to your friends.
Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, you should wear a mask and stay at least six feet apart from others. The farm will probably have disinfectant available, but it is always wise to bring your own. When taking a picture near the tree of your choice make the most of these guidelines by posing with your arms out showing that you are staying safely away from others, including the nearest tree. If you bring a tape measure along for an added prop it will make for a cute picture. Don't forget a fun Santa or Elf mask to make a picture that you will treasure in the years to come.
I hope this informative article helps you to have a wonderful masked Christmas at home with the same people you have been at home with for the past ten months. Don't be discouraged, I have it on good authority that everything should be back to normal by 2022.
Merry Christmas to all from Marilyn and Doug.