Let’s Get Jolly! Santa Claus has arrived at Westfield Garden State Plaza [dedicated]

Santa has arrived at Westfield Garden State Plaza! We repeat. Santa has arrived! 

He’s taken up his usual spot in the courtyard outside Macy’s and he’s ready to greet your kiddos and listen to their dearest holiday wishes. That’s the normal part. But, as with all things 2020, visits with The Big Guy are going to be different this year to ensure the safety of Santa and his elves and Garden State Plaza guests and employees.

First and most importantly, your children and Santa will be socially distanced. You’ll still get the beautiful (or the not so beautiful, but so, so real) family photo and your child and Santa will be able to engage in conversation. But this year, your children will not be sitting on Santa’s lap. Santa’s professional photography staff will arrange them so that everyone can stay healthy for the holiday. Your children (ages 2 and up) will also be required to wear a face covering during their visit. Santa and his helpers will be wearing face coverings too. Think of it this way, years from now, that photo, even though you won’t see your child’s smile, will be the first one you point to when you’re telling stories to your grandkids. 

This year, reservations to visit Santa are required, and the number of people Santa will be able to see each day has been reduced. So, unlike in years past, walk ups are not able to be accommodated in order to limit any lines from forming. Reservations to visit with Santa can be made here.  Santa has asked that all areas of his workshop be frequently sanitized and that visitors wash their hands often. 

Once your visit with Santa is over, enjoy a worry-free shopping experience in the mall with some of the other covid-related protocols Westfield Garden State Plaza has implemented. Use Line Pass on the Westfield app to reserve your place on the waiting list at participating mall stores. You’ll be assigned a time and will be notified when your shopping experience is ready to begin. You’ll be able to efficiently accomplish other things on that list you’re checking twice (or three times, or more) while you wait. 

Or, challenge your kids to the Holiday Hunt AR Experience. Hunt for 10 virtual holiday characters at Godiva, Aveda, Zen Diamond, Fabletics, H&M, Makeup Forever, NARS, Toys R Us, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Milk n Cookies to unlock experiences and exclusive savings that all lead up to a final prize of a Starbucks gift card. 

This holiday season is going to be like no other. Even shopping for holiday gifts has become much more complicated. It’ll be great when we can just go back to worrying whether Uncle Fred would prefer the blue scarf, or the red. But until then, the staff at Garden State Plaza has you covered with safe, sensible, Santa-approved policies to keep you and your family well. Happy Holidays!