This is Santa season 2020. Don White, 79, and Mary Rogers, 73, are two of many actors who’ve traded in-person Santa visits this year for Zoom calls, offering families a safer alternative to the annual tradition as the world grapples with a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Although some Santas are suiting up behind plexiglass or waving to children from snow globe setups, virtual calls from the North Pole’s famous pair are entertaining families with personalization and intimacy in spite of some technical difficulties.

“We’re expecting to triple or quadruple our income this season,” said White from the couple’s dining room “studio.” “We went from not thinking we’d be busy at all this year to being busier than ever; we started earlier, before Thanksgiving, too. Parents are desperate to find entertainment and something for their kids to do.”

Each year, White and Rogers emerge dressed as the Clauses in Kansas City, Missouri, frequenting restaurants, museums, fundraisers and events. Now, they’re logging about four to six video calls an hour to kids and their families across the United States, up to nine hours a day, on their website VisitFromtheClauses.com through Zoom. The price for a private chat ranges from US$49 for five minutes to US$69 for 10 minutes.

“We’re busier because we’re not spending time going to different places, getting dressed or setting up,” Rogers said. “We just run back and forth from the bedroom to the dining room.”

Before and after each Zoom session, an elaborate video plays to “virtually transport” kids to and from the North Pole. A US$99 package includes the live Zoom call, a video recording of the meet and greet, a holiday box and other gifts.

Straight Down the Line Promotions in Australia has also launched the Zoom call service, which is available to children worldwide.

All friendly, experienced Santas come with red and white Santa suit — padding real or otherwise provided, jingle bells, deluxe white beard, glasses and curly wig, official North Pole certification, jolly and reassuring manner and loads of festive cheer.

You need to register via the Zoom Santa website and select a day and time. A chat with Santa costs US$148 for just 12 minutes.

(SD-Agencies)