Look but don't touch: Here's how Santa's photos are being taken at the Avalon Mall

There have been big changes in our little corners of the world, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. CBC Newfoundland and Labradoris exploring those changes in a series called Our New Normal.

You can't see the big smile on six-year-old Audrey Snow's face due to the mask that her mominstructedher to wear, but her eyes are sparkling as she waits to be called onto the Santa Claus photo set at the Avalon Mall in St. John's.

Audrey notices that things are a little different this year from 2019.

She wastold beforehand that she won't be able to sit on Santa's lap. Also: no hugging Santa, and indeed no touching at all.

Thisdoesn't appear to bother Audrey, who was able to recite her wish list to Father Christmas through two panes of an acrylic barrier.

"As long as we see Santa, that is OK," she said with a giggle.

An annual tradition, in an unusual year

It wouldn't be Christmas without seeing Santa, said her mother, Maggie Snow, who has taken Audrey to get photos with the jolly old elf at the mall every year as one of their holiday traditions.

"I was kind of apprehensive that maybe the mall wouldn't do it but it's nice to have some sort of normal for the children during Christmas, so this just meant the world to her," said Snow.

WATCH | See for yourself how Santa's snaps are being taken, in the video below:

Meeting Santa at the mall under COVID-19

4 years ago

Duration 2:51

Kids can still get a picture with Santa at the Avalon Mall in St. Johns...but they have to sit a reindeers length away. Can this holiday tradition stay magical from behind plexiglass?

The Avalon Mall said having Santa Claus visit the mall at Christmas is always a special time so they started making preparations for a safe photography set months in advance.

"We knew that there would be different measures that we would have to implement thisyear but we really wanted to do it this year if possible," said marketing co-ordinatorKarla Fuglem.

It's all in the heart of the children and the attitude of the parents.- Bruce Lee

Everyone on set isable to stay six feet apart, two acrylic sheetssit between Santa and the kids andall the equipment gets sanitized in between use.

Instead of waiting in line, the photographers take down contact information and will text parents when they are ready. Masks must be worn until the child is seated upon wooden boxes not farfrom Santa.

According to Bruce Lee, who has photographed Santa at the mall for the past 20 years, just because kids can't get up close and personal with theman in red doesn't mean the experience cannot still be magical.

"It's all in the heart of the children and the attitude of the parents. People are just really glad there is some place they can go to get that picture of Santa Claus that they have continuously got for years and years," said Lee.

"It becomes a part of their tradition. They come, maybe go see a movie, do their shopping, get their children all dressed up so beautifully and they get that picture that goes on their mantle."

Keeping enthusiasm in check

Lee said one of the biggest challenges is making sure kids don't run to Santa when they see him, as they have done in previous years.

It's nice to have some sort of normal for the children during Christmas.- Maggie Snow

As well,he hashad to adjust the camera angle to be able to fit both kids and Santa into a picture while sitting six feet apart.

"It's certainly different for all of us but people are very understanding."

Lee said some parents are asking their children to take pictures with their masks on as a way to remember this year's different holiday season.

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Although Lee said he was nervous about the possibility of cancelling this year's photos, he couldn't be happier the mall was able to host Santa again.

"They love us, they come and they recognize us. We become a part of their tradition," he said.

"I just love the spirit of the people."

Our New Normal

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant great changes in our daily lives. We'll be exploring them in Our New Normal, a series of segments you'll see here, onHere & Nowand on our current affairs shows.

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