What: the traditional Santa Claus meet-and-greets at Macy’s in going virtual this year

Why it is important: for the first time in 159 years the department store won’t be able to let children meet Santa instore so it reinvents tradition

No miracle on 34th Street this year, as Santa Claus won’t be visiting Macy’s. The tradition, which started in 1861, won’t be taking place in 2020 for safety reasons. Instead, Macy’s is launching an interactive virtual experience for kids: Santaland.

It starts in Santa's village and workshops with a greeting from virtual elves where you can see the sights and play interactive games. Then children will meet Santa virtually, being able to share their holiday wish list, and take a selfie to be downloaded. The experience is limited to three children at a time.

The pandemic is forcing a change on many things and it’s not the first tradition that Macy’s had to shift: last month the department store announced a reinvented Thanksgiving parade, to suit the safety measures imposed by the pandemic.

Macy’s Santaland Comes Home for the Holidays

Macy's Santaland at Home website

Related items:

• Macy’s “reimagines” Thanksgiving Parade