Saint Nick will pose for photos at Westfield Southcenter and University Village this year, but there’ll be a few coronavirus-conscious changes beyond Santa Claus wearing his signature gloves: In a contactless visit, masks will be mandatory for Santa, his helpers and visitors.
Reservations for in-person Santa photo visits are strongly encouraged, and social distancing will be enforced. The jolly old elf and his staff will have daily health screenings and temperature checks. At University Village, visitors will also be screened and scanned upon arrival.
Kirkland Urban has will also have socially distanced Santa visits and photos, by appointment only, on Saturdays from Nov. 28 to Dec. 19. The shopping center also has a mailbox for letters to Santa. Through Dec. 20, letters that are dropped off (and display a return address) will receive a letter back! The mailbox is located in front of 400 Urban Plaza.
Contactless Santa photos are also available by appointment at the Snowflake Lane Factory in Bellevue Square’s Center Court. (Masks required for everyone, including Santa, who will be behind his oversize desk until Dec. 24.)
Nordstrom won’t host Santa photos in 2020, but its stores will connect kids to the North Pole for 15-minute virtual chats (RSVPs have already begun), and collect emails and handwritten letters to Santa.
Southcenter is also offering online visits and photos with Santa, for people and for pets.
Virtual Santa: A Seattle couple has launched meetingsanta.com so that families can have virtual meet-and-greets with Santa via Zoom: “Just what your family needs to get into the holiday spirit this year!” they say. A variety of package options are available.
Southcenter: whereissanta.com; University Village: santaphotos.com; Nordstrom: nordstromrsvp.com
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