Streaming Santa? How Mr. and Mrs. Claus are keeping up with the times
He’s delighting kids with virtual visits; she’s stepping out of Santa's shadow.
Santa Claus has seen many Christmas changes since the original St. Nicholas wandered the slums of fourth-century Turkey giving presents to the poor. But aside from the 1823 publication of “A Visit from St. Nicholas”—which overnight canonized Santa’s red suit, full beard, and “bowl full of jelly” tummy—the old boy has seldom been subject to so much change so quickly.
In two years of COVID-19, many of Santa’s young visitors have moved from in-person moments on his lap to remote sessions on his laptop. The demise of shopping malls has led to more appearances at holiday parties and corporate events. And Mrs. Claus, once largely relegated to keeping excited children in line, is