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  4. Photos show what Christmas traditions look like in the coronavirus-era, from mall Santas in snow globes to drive-thru light shows

Photos show what Christmas traditions look like in the coronavirus-era, from mall Santas in snow globes to drive-thru light shows

Joey Hadden   

Photos show what Christmas traditions look like in the coronavirus-era, from mall Santas in snow globes to drive-thru light shows
Children talk to Santa on Zoom on November 27, 2020 in Crantock, England.Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
This Christmas will undoubtedly look very different. But people around the world have found some creative ways to celebrate the holiday during a pandemic.

Safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus are limiting some holiday traditions, like sitting on Santa's lap at your local mall.

Safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus are limiting some holiday traditions, like sitting on Santa
A mall Santa in Brazil greets a kid from inside a plastic bubble.      REUTERS/Adriano Machado

Instead, some mall Santas sat in festive plastic spheres that resemble snow globes.

Instead, some mall Santas sat in festive plastic spheres that resemble snow globes.
Santa Claus inside a plastic bubble greets a child in Brasilia, Brazil.      REUTERS/Adriano Machado

In Rio de Janeiro, a Christmas event creatively reused a retired cable car to keep Santa and children safely apart.

In Rio de Janeiro, a Christmas event creatively reused a retired cable car to keep Santa and children safely apart.
A girl visits a Santa inside an old cable car at Urca Hill in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.      REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Source: Reuters

Inside or out, touching hands through the barrier seemed to replace sitting on Santa's lap this year.

Inside or out, touching hands through the barrier seemed to replace sitting on Santa
A Santa meets children from inside a plastic bubble at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark.      Ritzau Scanpix/Henning Bagger via REUTERS

Even adults took the opportunity to press their hands against Santas'.

Even adults took the opportunity to press their hands against Santas
Abilio da Cruz Pinto, 77, dressed as a Santa Claus greets a woman in a shopping mall from behind a plastic barrier in Brasilia, Brazil.      REUTERS/Adriano Machado

Also in Brazil, a version of Santa interacted with kids virtually.

Also in Brazil, a version of Santa interacted with kids virtually.
A child interacts by video with "Santa Claus Edi Noel" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.      REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Source: Reuters

While some Santas were behind plastic, others greeted people behind glass. A scuba Santa swam underwater among sea life at an aquarium in Tokyo.

While some Santas were behind plastic, others greeted people behind glass. A scuba Santa swam underwater among sea life at an aquarium in Tokyo.
A diver wearing a Santa costume swims in a large fish tank during an underwater Christmas show at the Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo, Japan.      REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Drive-thru holiday shows have replaced some typical Christmas villages and light shows.

Drive-thru holiday shows have replaced some typical Christmas villages and light shows.
Children look at lights from inside a car at Luminna Fest, a drive-through Christmas light festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil.      REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

At a drive-thru Christmas village in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, patrons could greet Santa from the comfort of their cars.

At a drive-thru Christmas village in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, patrons could greet Santa from the comfort of their cars.
Children greet a person dressed as Santa from inside a vehicle in a drive-thru Christmas village in Mexico.      REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez

Source: Reuters

Starlight Lane, a drive-thru Christmas show in Seattle, took place in a parking garage where patrons tune into a radio station for synchronized music.

Starlight Lane, a drive-thru Christmas show in Seattle, took place in a parking garage where patrons tune into a radio station for synchronized music.
A vehicle moves through Starlight Lane in Seattle, Washington.      David Ryder/Getty Images

Instead of knocking on your door, carollers in Milton Keynes, Britain, sang at a drive-in carol service organized by a local church.

Instead of knocking on your door, carollers in Milton Keynes, Britain, sang at a drive-in carol service organized by a local church.
People sing during a drive-in carol service organized by the Watling Valley Churches.      REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Source: Reuters

At a retirement home outside of Paris, workers performed outside while residents watched through a large window.

At a retirement home outside of Paris, workers performed outside while residents watched through a large window.
Residents watch medical workers perform during a Christmas party at Le Gatinais Korian, a retirement home.      REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Source: Reuters

Christmas meals out are much more private this year at a Ritz-Carlton in Moscow, where guests dine in private rooftop pods.

Christmas meals out are much more private this year at a Ritz-Carlton in Moscow, where guests dine in private rooftop pods.
A waiter sets a table inside a transparent pod for private Christmas meals.      REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Source: Reuters

The holiday office party looked different this year, too. But one company that makes mini-scenes constructed a holiday party scene to celebrate its employees.

The holiday office party looked different this year, too. But one company that makes mini-scenes constructed a holiday party scene to celebrate its employees.
View of a reconstructed Christmas party in the miniature wonderland.      Daniel Bockwoldt/picture alliance via Getty Images

The operators of Wonderland used a 3D-printer to help recreate the holiday party, calling it the "smallest Christmas party of the world."

The operators of Wonderland used a 3D-printer to help recreate the holiday party, calling it the "smallest Christmas party of the world."
A model of a Christmas party is seen.      Daniel Bockwoldt/picture alliance via Getty Images

Even the holiday tradition of giving back looked different in 2020. This LA-based non-profit distributed toys to kids in need via a drive-thru event.

Even the holiday tradition of giving back looked different in 2020. This LA-based non-profit distributed toys to kids in need via a drive-thru event.
Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer at the Holiday Drive-Thru Distribution.      Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Baby2Baby

Source: Vanity Fair

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