Bring the holiday magic home with a virtual Santa visit
Holiday cheer from the comfort of your living room
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Getty Images / RichLegg
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Visiting with Santa is a tradition for many families, but if the ongoing COVID-19 virus has you hesitant to spend time in close proximity to a stranger, why not opt for a virtual meeting with St. Nick instead? This year there are a number of ways to give the gift of an online visit with Father Christmas. Whether your kid prefers a visit with Jolly St. Nick himself, or just a message from Mrs. Claus, here are six virtual Santa visit choices to make your holidays bright and cheerful.
1. Cameo
Yep, even Santa Claus is on Cameo.
Inventive Santas who are hip with technology have taken to offering personalized video messages via Cameo. There are lots of Santas to choose from, including not-so-traditional options like Bad Santa, Stripping Santa, and even Santa Claus the puppet. If your child prefers a magical Christmas message from someone of the more feminine persuasion, Mrs. Claus is available, too.
No matter what type of Kris Kringle puts your loved one in the holiday spirit, you're sure to find an option on Cameo, starting at $25.
2. Santa's Club
Santa's Club sends a personal invitation addressed to your child.
Santa's Club makes virtual visits with Santa Claus truly special by sending your child a personalized invitation via snail mail. With a return address of the North Pole, this is mail that's sure to get your little one excited about Christmas, especially when they open it up to find a magical letter from Santa, a keepsake bracelet, and an invitation to a virtual visit with Jolly St. Nick.
Parents can share information about each of their children ahead of time so that Santa knows just what to ask during the 5-minute-long visit. Santa Zooms in directly from his warm and cozy house at the North Pole, and kids might even get a cameo appearance from Mrs. Claus as well. The complete Santa's Club experience can be personalized for up to three children, and also includes a keepsake video.
Book a Santa's Club experience for $74.99
3. Zuhoo
Kids can have their very own virtual visit with Santa Claus through Zuhoo.
If you have a child with special needs, or you're looking for a diverse selection of Santas to choose from, look no further than Zuhoo. They offer virtual Santa visits in multiple languages,—including ASL—ethnicities, and they also have a Sensitive Santa who is accustomed to accommodating kids with varying abilities.
Live Zuhoo visits last between 10-15 minutes, and parents can help personalize the visit by sharing information about each of their children before hand. Mrs. Claus is also available to make an appearance, and can even be asked to read a Christmas story during the video. Keepsake photos and videos are included with the cost of every Zuhoo.
Book a visit with Santa at Zuhoo starting at $29.95
4. Homagination
Homagination brings Santa Claus right to their computer screen.
With a varied selection of virtual Santa Claus experiences, Homagination offers an affordable option for almost any budget. Book a Believe Journey—a personalized video message from Santa Claus for $24.99—or spring for a magical 30-minute live video chat, dubbed an Expansive Journey, for $99.99. Homagination also offers group chat options for up to five kids, as well as a downloadable keepsake video link after their child's appointment with the man in the red suit.
Book a visit with Santa at Homagination starting at $24.99
5. Bring Santa Home
Meet up with Santa via laptop with Bring Santa Home.
Bring Santa Home offers both personalized Zoom visits with Santa as well as a selection of customized gifts sent directly from the North Pole. The "Dasher" package costs $24.99 and can accommodate up to three kids for a 10-minute-long visit with Santa Claus. For a longer visit—or if you have more than three kids—the "Comet" package gets you a 20-minute audience with Jolly St. Nick and rings up at $49.99. For families who prefer a visit with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the "Rudolph" package is a 10-minute visit for up to six kids for $89.99.
Parents can help personalize the meeting by filling out a questionnaire during the booking, and they can add on extras like a handwritten letter from Santa, or a Nice List Certificate. There's even an option to send the special adult in your life a Naughty List Certificate, in case you're interested in a little R-rated holiday magic.
Book a visit with Santa at Bring Santa Home starting at $24.99
6. Create Holiday Magic
A virtual visit with Santa isn't quite the same, but it comes close.
While no virtual experience can entirely replace the fun of an in-person visit with Santa Claus, Create Holiday Magic does a pretty good job. Their Holiday Traditions virtual experience includes a live video call with Santa, keepsake photos, and story time with St. Nick himself. Pets can even get in on the action with special virtual backgrounds designed just for them.
The virtual visits last between five to eight minutes, and parents can personalize the call by filling out a detailed sheet with information about their children's interests as well as any household pets or other special information that Santa should know.
Book a visit with Santa at Create Holiday Magic for $59.99
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