Connect with Mr. Kringle

By Patricia Nugent

He’s the magical gent who came to town and pulled off a miracle on 34th Street. All the wonderment that makes the season bright lives on today in Mr. Kringle.

For the past 14 years, Kringle’s Inventionasium Experience has provided a festive walk-through excursion of Santa’s toy lab in downtown Cleveland.

This year, the experience swings virtual and gets personal, as children and families can enjoy eVisits with the master toymaker from the safety and comfort of home.

“You can choose from a personalized, pre-recorded message or a 6-10-minute streaming interaction via Zoom,” says Jimmy Langa, owner of Mr. Kringle & Company. During the family-tailored experience, he will mention what your child got for Christmas last year, and other fun facts surrounding your cherished traditions, like how you decorate your tree or where you hang your stockings.”

To make the experience even more custom-fit and authentic, families can also choose their Kringle from many possible versions available on the site.

“We offer the keepsake of a recorded eVisit, for people to cherish or share on their social media accounts,” he adds. “And they can invite ‘spectators’ who are family or friends to join the eVisit, too.”

With Christmas morning fast approaching, there’s nothing more traditional than writing a letter to Santa Claus. This year your kids can receive personalized return correspondence from Santa delivered via USPS to their mailbox. Parents pick from five endearing templates or write their own. Every letter has little genuine touches that bring the magic to life.

For a socially distanced in-person visit, don’t miss Breakfast with Mr. Kringle and his merry friends at The Burnham Restaurant at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown Hotel, on Saturdays and Sundays in December leading up to Christmas. Wear your pajamas or favorite holiday outfit and don’t forget the camera, as during the buffet brunch, characters will be roaming throughout.

At the same hotel, you can also check into Mr. Kringle’s secret private residence, which is a suite decorated to the holiday nines.

Do you hear what I hear? The big belly laughs —like a bowl full of jelly—of Mr. K. himself and echoes of your children joining him.

Visit MrKringle.com or call 855-MRKRINGLE (675-7464) to arrange for your Letters or eVisits with the man himself, or to make reservations for Brunch with Mr. Kringle or an overnight stay.