Greetings Santa, 

It’s the time of year when we normally start planning for our December hijinks, but 2020 has been a strange year. We are not quite ready to write it off and cancel the event. The Santas not in charge have been brainstorming ways to celebrate our favorite holiday socially distanced. 

We want to stress that Covid is a serious danger, and we want to take appropriate precautions to reduce the spread. However we also acknowledge that social distancing and wearing masks and being outside is not without risk, but potentially reduces risk. Here are some options for Santacon 2020. 
 

1. Decentralized Santacon: We decide to celebrate Santacon on a certain day but there is no centralized meeting point, or series of activities - like going to bars or restaurants. Instead, we dress up on the day, and be Santa. Maybe Santa is going on a hike, or to the beach, or to have lunch or the farmers market, or the grocery story, or a park, or any of the many socially distanced activities we’ve had to invent. One idea is that we have a map where Santa will be, which neighborhoods, or farmers markets, or outdoor restaurants, and Santa may see other Santas and say HO, in a socially distant way.
    
2. Virtual Santacon: we do Santacon all virtually with Twitch and Zoom and maybe some live streaming. You get dressed up as Santa and we party at home.
    
3. Socially Distanced Santacon: Santa meets IRL but in a safe socially distanced way. We take our inspiration from drive in movies, raves and socially distanced parks. 
   1. Drive-In Santa: One idea is to find a brewery with a parking lot and show a drive in movie, food and drink is available for purchase, you stay in your socially distanced stalls, wear a mask outside. 
   2. BYO Santacon Picnic: Another idea is to have Santacon for a short period of time at a large park where we can be socially distanced. Maybe Pan Pacific Park or Not a Cornfield AKA Los Angeles State Historic Park. Socially distant spaces are delineated and Santa stays within them. There are socially distant games (bring your own megaphone) like tree tosses, or a photo booth. Think of it as a BYOEverything Santa picnic, likely during the day from 1-5pm.
   3. Safety First: Best Covid Santa: The best socially distanced Santa costumes or set-ups get a prize! Maybe we even have a socially distant costume contest. Sit on socially distanced Santa’s lap. 
   4. IMPORTANT NOTE: Not all of the Santa’s not in charge are comfortable with a socially distanced event. We are concerned that even suggesting the possibility of one could be interpreted negatively and result in backlash. By including this option we are in no way suggesting this is what we plan to do. But we also know there are safety measures to reduce risk, wearing a mask, being outside, staying 6 feet apart. In other words, if my BFF/Santa in Charge worked at the coffee shop she manages in Santa Monica (where people fought her wearing a mask) through the whole pandemic and she didn't get Covid, maybe we can have a safe socially distanced event. At the same time, we know not everyone follows good practices, and everyone has different levels of comfort. And when Santa drinks, he may take risks that are even more risky with Covid floating around. 
   5. Finally: While Santa loves to push the edges of the law, Covid is no joke. The Santa’s not in charge will monitor the changing tier level of LA County and adjust any activities to comply with local and state regulations (Santa can’t believe she just wrote that!). 
       
4. Hybrid/Combo: Some kind of hybrid combination of the above.
    
5. And of course, we could cancel it. Personally, I’m hopeful we can figure out a way to celebrate the Holidaze the way we like best in a safe way.

Santacon is for all of us. I always look forward to December, when I get to see you all in your best costumes, and maybe bring a fresh boyfriend to annoy the clowns. (No chance of that this year, Covid dating is not fun, Santa is single again.)

So hit reply, and let Santa know what you think and how you want to participate. You can also email us at lasantacon@gmail.com.

Ho!

-Santavescent + All the Santa’s not in Charge
Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa, Santa & Santa