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There are only 20-something more days until the highlight of the year: Christmas! Kids everywhere are excited. One of the fond memories that I have from my childhood Christmases was going to see Santa at the mall and telling him exactly what I wanted for Christmas. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 pandemic making this year a very socially distant one, there are many children who will have to miss out on an in-person visit to see Santa.

However, it would seem that Santa is getting up to speed on the whole “tech” thing. And this is good news for kids everywhere because it means that you can still receive a free, personalized video from the big man himself!

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A post shared by Portable North Pole • Santa 🎅🏼 (@pnpsanta)

This is all thanks to Portable North Pole, an app designed to be compatible with both iOS and Android. The app allows you to enter your kid’s name, along with their photo into the app in order for Santa Claus to create a specialized video for them. The app also has options for interactive videos where you can put up to four names for personalized group videos.

The app has a YouTube video on its page that shows just how it works. Check it out below:

The app allows for two short videos to be created for free. Any other videos can be purchased through a variety of premium packages. They all vary in price from $4.99 to $14.99, and they all differ in terms of calls or video call combinations. But the best thing about the app is that all purchases result in a portion of the sales being given to participating children’s hospitals.

This year, Portable North Pole has a personalized book called “My Christmas Story,” in which your kid is featured going on an adventure through Santa’s Village in an attempt to help save Christmas. The book has various characters like eleven, husky dogs, and even Santa Claus. But perhaps the nicest thing about the book is that it comes with a personalized video message from Santa. The price for “My Christmas Story” is $37.87.

But the Portable North Pole app isn’t the only way that children are able to interact with Santa Claus this year. Macy’s Santaland is offering a free virtual tour starting from November 27th and going through December 24. There is also Live Calls With Santa that features Santa live on Zoom. Their basic package starts at $19.95, and this covers a five-minute live video chat with Santa in his workshop. But that’s not it. The United States Postal Office is also in on that Santa action, as it will return a letter to your child – so long as you write to Santa!

Either way, this year there are plenty of ways for your child to interact with Santa. How are you going to be celebrating the Christmas season this year? Let us know!