{"id":708,"date":"2021-11-11T17:48:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-11T17:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/almosttheweekend.com\/?p=708"},"modified":"2023-05-09T18:32:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T17:32:58","slug":"how-to-enjoy-virtual-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/almosttheweekend.com\/how-to-enjoy-virtual-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"30+ Festive Ways to Enjoy a Virtual Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Isolation ruining your Christmas Again?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is your Christmas planning feeling a bit different (again!) this year? Don’t worry, we’ve got loads of ideas for virtual Christmas fun once again in 2021!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we’re all happy that so many in-person events are back for Christmas 2021, there are plenty of opportunities for enjoying virtual Christmas activities again this year. Perfect if you’re isolating, can’t travel, or just want to stay home in your cozy PJs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you’re gearing up for more virtual Christmas activities again this year, here’s your guide to feeling that festive cheer from anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Have a Virtual Christmas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hopefully, Christmas 2021 will be a lot less virtual that last year, but there’s still a lot going on in the online Christmas world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here is what I\u2019ve found so far. From virtual Santa visits to virtual Christmas markets to virtual pantomimes, it\u2019s all here. You\u2019re welcome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual Santa Visits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Going to Santa\u2019s Grotto to meet Father Christmas is a festive staple for so many families, and while most visits are back face-to-face this year, there are still quite a few online options where you can meet Santa virtually from anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(The service I used last year doesn’t seem to be running online in 2021, so I have no personal experience of any of the services listed below. Please shop around and make sure they\u2019re suitable for your own child.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa\u2019s Grotto Live<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa\u2019s Calling You<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual Santa Visits<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa HQ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also some great Santa messaging apps that have been around for a few years that will help kids to believe Santa is still coming this year. We\u2019ve used Portable North Pole<\/strong><\/a> for the past few years, and even the free service can be tailored to the child to produce a lovely video message.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Picture<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Track Santa’s Route Online<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Track Santa Claus live as he takes to the skies on Christmas Eve. These sites have been around for a while and are great fun for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NORAD Santa Tracker<\/strong><\/a> is the most famous of them all. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks the North American skies all year, but on Christmas Eve they\u2019re also in charge of tracking Santa Claus as he travels the world. This year\u2019s website goes live on 1st December 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also track Father Christmas via the Google Santa Tracker<\/a><\/strong> which has games for the kids to enjoy throughout December too.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Online<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Santa Village Webcams in Lapland<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trips to Lapland won\u2019t be an option for most people this year, but you can visit virtually via the Santa Village webcam<\/a><\/strong> which streams live from Rovaniemi in Lapland. I haven\u2019t seen much happen there yet but I\u2019m presuming the residents of Santa Village will appear more as we get closer to Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n