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Santa's Grotto Experience - Christmas 2020 in the UK
When lockdown started in March, it was hard to believe that we would be looking at a COVID Christmas. Social distancing rules and other government guidelines mean that we are unlikely to be able to see our families in big groups this year, and many of the usual Christmas experiences are going to be very different. Even Santa Claus is having to stay at the North Pole until Christmas Eve, although he is still hard at work with the elves making toys and games.
However, like everyone else, Santa has got to grips with Zoom this year. This means that instead of visiting Santa at a toy shop or Christmas grotto, you can call Santa instead. A live video call with Santa Claus, or Mrs. Claus, or even one of his elves (or all three!) will mean that the Christmas experience is still as full of festive magic for children as it should be.
Can I see Santa Claus this year?
Santa Claus - also known as Father Christmas - is obeying the government advice about not making any unnecessary journeys, so he will be staying at the North Pole and working hard on making Christmas presents throughout November and December. He hopes to be back to normal in 2021, but in the meantime plans to speak to as many children as possible through live Santa video calls between now and the 24th December. Rather than having to take a journey into town, find somewhere to park in the town centre, and spend the whole day queueing to meet Santa, the adults can book a time to Zoom Santa instead, and see Santa's Grotto live.
Christmas video calling is going to be a feature of 2020, so it's great to know that you can still make a visit to Santa and enjoy the magical run-up to Christmas - it will just have to be online instead.
Is Santa Claus going to be able to visit this year?
Since Santa visits down the chimney (or brings his magic key in case you don’t have one), there's no danger of him catching COVID or giving it to anyone else when he makes his rounds on 24th December. Therefore, he will be visiting as usual on Christmas Eve, and will do everything he can to make sure that although this might be an unusual Christmas, it will still be a magical Christmas for you.
If you usually leave a drink and a snack for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer, there is no reason why you cannot do this in 2020 as usual.
How will Santa Claus know what I want for Christmas if I can't go and see him?
For 2020, we will all have to do things a little bit differently. It's a shame you can't visit and meet Santa in his grotto this year, but you can video Santa instead, and tell him what you would like to find in your stocking on Christmas morning. His elves - and Mrs. Claus - are taking bookings to video call people too, so if you'd like to hear an elf's view on what it's like getting ready for Christmas, and ask them to make you something special, then this is your opportunity!
Just as when you visit Santa in his grotto in other years, you can tell Santa everything you would like for Christmas, and he can also make sure that you're not on the naughty list.
How do I book a video call with Santa Claus from the UK?
Booking your call could not be easier. This is the perfect way to visit Santa as a family safely, and from the comfort of your own home. You can choose the perfect time for you, and Santa will be free to speak - he is very clever at time-management or else he couldn't visit the whole world in one night!
Of course, you may wish to speak to Mrs. Claus instead (or as well as Santa!) to get her famous recipe for mince pies, or to learn all about a day in the life of one of the North Pole elves.
Calls are, happily, completely lockdown-proof, and guaranteed to bring a little magic to the Christmas experience for 2020. As we are unlikely to be able to enjoy a normal social or outdoor Christmas experience in the UK, this is the ideal opportunity to start a new tradition. Simply click through
to our "Check Availability" page and book a timeslot to speak to someone at the Grotto. Please note that the price is a little higher in the week before Christmas and on 24th December as Santa will be a bit busier at these times.
I am not in the UK - can I still speak to Santa?
Santa offers a worldwide service, so even if you are not in the UK you can still speak to Santa, Mrs. Claus, or one of the elves. Just book a time
to speak to someone at Santa HQ, and we will do the rest. Please note that Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the elves only speak English.
Everyone should have the chance to speak to Santa at Christmas. COVID should not get in the way of that.
In terms of the children speaking to Santa, 2020 could end up being a year to remember for good reasons. They will get a personalised experience, with information you give to Santa about them in advance (also excellent for convincing them that Santa knows all about them and which 'list' they should be on!)
Not only is there no queuing, this can be a family experience with all of you involved. Santa and his team are all fully DBS checked and should you wish to purchase a copy of the video call with Santa you can have a memento of how you celebrated Christmas 2020 for years to come.
COVID -19 might have cancelled a lot of things this year, but it won't cancel Christmas, and it is still possible to put some magic into the season.
Chief Elf (James Bartlett) of Santa's Calling You has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards - Creative Entrepreneur of the Year!
The Grotto is Open! But here’s why it’s still better to book your guaranteed video call with Santa and stay COVID safe this Christmas.
One treat the whole family can enjoy is our new Secret Santa Box, available as an add-on to your video call with Santa. Packed full with items for the whole family to enjoy together, the Secret Santa Box enhances our message that ‘it is not what is under the Christmas Tree that matters, but what is around it that counts’.
