Digital update for Santa's grotto - 23rd December 2020

Santa: "What a surprise!"

Mum: "Say hello to Santa!"

Child: "Santa!"

Santa: "Hello!"

The coronavirus has put a dampener on Christmas for many around the world, and even Father Christmas isn't exempt. As travel restrictions only make exceptions for magical sleighs on Christmas Eve, jolly St Nick has been unable to spread the Christmas spirit with Santa's grottoes shuttered across the globe.

So, thank Nicholas for Londoner Madeline and her husband Freddie teaming up with some cheery actors to help Papa Noel out by converting their flat into an online grotto.

Madeleine: "We wanted this to be a really high-quality experience, using the best, sort of, actors and performing arts supporters, using the best set that we could and the best technology to make sure that this experience was absolutely as magical as it could be."

Madeline and Freddie fit running the grotto in around their full-time jobs, meaning Santa can only schedule video calls for weekends. Nevertheless, upwards of 500 families have snapped up the chance for some quality time with Father Christmas, or, as he's known out of character: Aaron Spendelow.

Aaron: "On these calls, we have a game, we have a song, we sometimes have a story, we have some jokes. Like, there's a lot of interactivity that come with it and it brings a lot of joy and happiness, and I think that's what we all need."

So, with location no longer a barrier for a sit down with Santy, even if it is on a webcam, and with restrictions on his magical sleigh lifted for Christmas Eve, don't forget to get the milk and biscuits ready!

Santa: "And what drink would you leave me?"

Children: "What do you like?"

Santa: "I would like a glass of milk, please."