Christmas cheer on the way as shopping centres get into the spirit
Shopping centres across the state are finalising their Christmas plans, and one thing is for sure — children will still get to see Santa this year. HOW TO BOOK + SAFETY TIPS >>
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SHOPPING centres across the state are finalising their Christmas plans, and one thing is for sure — children will still get to see Santa this year.
Kingston’s Channel Court Shopping Centre will be transforming into a Christmas wonderland, including the classic photos with Saint Nick — COVID-style.
The photos will be through Santas Photo Factory, with bookings now open and photos set to take place from November 21.
So far it is unknown exactly how the photos will be going ahead, but Santas Photo Factory says depending on the centre, green screen options or a physical Santa could be used.
Retailer Myer has also released dates for Santaland, with bookings essential this year due to the pandemic.
Bookings last 10 minutes and include a personal one-on-one experience for families, where children can meet Santa and his elves and get their 2020 Christmas photo taken.
Bookings are available from November 26 on Myer’s website.
This year furry friends will also have an opportunity to get festive.
Premier Peter Gutwein said he was thrilled that Santa’s visit had been declared COVID-safe.
“I’m pleased to say I’ve had news from Santa and can confirm he’s been granted a special international exemption to bring presents to children in Tasmania this Christmas,” he said.
“We’ve put in place a COVID-Safety plan for Santa and his reindeer to make sure he can travel safely.
“It’s been a really hard year, and while Christmas is a wonderful time of celebration with friends and family, the best gift we can give one another is to keep Tasmania safe, so please remember all the important things we do to keep on top of COVID: social distancing where appropriate, wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, stay home if you’re unwell and get a test, even if you have mild symptoms.
“We look forward to welcoming Santa back to Tasmania this Christmas!”
RSPCA Tasmania will be taking Christmas pet photos at Caledonian Sqaure, Invermay, on November 21.
CEO Jan Davis said reaching the end of a hard year deserved something special.
“There has been so much hardship and sacrifice in the past few months, it’s never too early to start the Christmas celebrations,” she said.
“For many people their animal companions have been their salvation and have gotten them through those darkest days of stress and anxiety.
“We can think of no better way to say thank you than with a beautiful photo of pets in their festive finest courtesy of Shy Wolf Photography.”
Information around plans for Northgate and Eastlands are expected to be released soon.
Instead of heading out and about, some parents have instead opted for virtual Santa experiences, with one provider recording an explosion in bookings soon after launching.
Bill Wheatley, director of The Real Santa, said he was offering virtual experiences from the first time this year.
Though they were well-known throughout the mainland, Mr Wheatley said this year they weren’t constrained by geography.
“By the comfort and safety of your own home, you can watch a virtual Santa-gram, you can speak to Santa over the phone, or watch a livestream,” he said.
“We’re doing prerecorded, personalised videos that can address up to six people.
“Customers can send in information about the children that are being addressed, like their Christmas wishlist and what they’ve been up to at school. They can even send us their letter to Santa, and he’ll take it from his magic letterbox and read it out.
“It think it’s something people haven’t really thought of doing before in Australia.
He added there were also “virtual Santa livestream” and “virtual Santa party” options.
HOBART TURNS ON ITS FESTIVE SPIRIT
HOBART has turned on its Christmas spirit with the Mawson Place Christmas tree in lights and block parties and community carols on the calendar.
The tree features 7500 LED bulbs and 400 decorative baubles and was turned on Friday night.
The new stainless steel baubles on the 14m tall tree have replaced the ageing plastic decorations and will reflect the lights.
“The Christmas tree will be lit up every night until January 3,” Mayor Anna Reynolds said.
“From Saturday we will have roving entertainers bringing some colour and fun into the city, spreading plenty of festive cheer – something we can all use a bit of this year, more than ever.”
This weekend, keep an eye out for a jumping reindeer, stilt-walking Christmas tree and the Waimea Heights Primary School choir around Elizabeth Mall, and the ExitLeft Choir in the CBD and at Mawson Place.
There will be entertainment – including groups which would have participated in the annual Christmas pageant – every weekend until December 17, and then daily until Christmas Eve.
The first of five shopping precinct Block Parties will be held at Battery Point next weekend, featuring demonstrations and displays by local artists, choirs, a live nativity scene and a dog parade.
Other Block Parties will be held at Hobart Midtown, South Hobart, Brisbane Street in Hobart, and at Macquarie Point in the following weeks.
The City of Hobart is also supporting four Community Carols events in December, to be held at St Davids Park, West Hobart (two events) and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
For more information on Christmas in Hobart, visit hobartcity.com.au/Christmas.
MRS CLAUS SPREADS CHEER IN RICHMOND
A SPECIAL guest from the North Pole will soon be taking up residence at a Richmond store.
Konnie owner Tanya Amos said her “relative” Mrs Claus would be visiting the store throughout the month of December to help spread some Christmas cheer.
Ms Amos said when she decided to deck the store out for the festive season, the borders were still closed and she was unsure how Christmas might look.
But even with the borders reopened, she said after such a difficult year it would still be good to put a smile on people’s faces.
“I thought I’d play Christmas carols, decorate, dress up,” she said.
“It’s just something fun to get into the Christmas spirit.
“I’m really doing it for the kids to help create a bit of happiness.”
She said Mrs Claus would be in-store ready to greet children every day except Wednesdays.
“On Wednesdays, Mrs Claus will go back to the North Pole to check in on Santa and the elves,” she said.
“We’ll also have a Santa mailbox so that the kiddies can write a letter to Santa and Mrs Claus can take them back with her.”
She said weather permitting, some days they would also have activities such as colouring in and story time on the lawn near the shop.
“I’ll even get one of my daughters to dress up as an elf,” Ms Amos said.
“I’m hoping to put a smile on the kids’ faces.
“I hope it might lift the spirits of Richmond a little bit as well.”
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