Christmas photos will look different this year, with children and their families forced to sit a socially-accepted distance away from Santa at shopping centres across Canberra.

Phill Cale said he was looking forward to bringing some Christmas cheer to a tough year.

"Christmas is about the kids and I'm going to do everything in my power to make it as normal as possible for them," he said.

Mr Cale has brought Santa to life for more than 20 years, but it was particularly important to him that he wore the red suit in 2020.

"It's been such a tough year for everybody, and the kids have felt it too, so I'm giving them lots of positive encouragement," he said.

But Mr Cale was looking forward to a more traditional Christmas next year, as COVID-19 restrictions had strained even Santa's job.

"I'm doing the best I can do under the circumstances but it's difficult. I'm really missing the interaction and it's hard when kids want to come up and cuddle me. I'm promising all the kids that in 2021 they can cuddle me and we'll do as many high-fives as they want," he said.

Canberra Centre general manager Gary Stewart urged shoppers to plan their visit to the centre this year to avoid extended time caught in the Christmas crowds.

Many shoppers were expected to buy their presents online this year, but retailers were expecting the usual late rush for presents and some forecast $1 billion in spending as Canberrans splurged after a year locked inside.

"Christmas will be a little different this year but our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our entire community is steadfast," Mr Stewart said.

Families have been recommended to avoid visiting shopping centres during peak times in the lead-up to Christmas, such as during the middle of the day from Thursday through to Sunday.

Mr Stewart said the Canberra Centre had prepared for the Christmas rush in line with COVID-safe measures.

"We're keeping Santa, his elves and your family safe by introducing online bookings for Santa visits. This is to allow customers to plan their visit, reduce the risk of large crowds and queues of people in-centre and allow for thorough cleaning and disinfecting between visits," he said.

There's even an option for people who don't want to join the crowds, with the Canberra Centre offering online video sessions to meet Santa.

Santa was busier than usual in the North Pole this year as he learned how to use Zoom, so he could share the Christmas spirit with those families who couldn't make it into the Canberra Centre.

"We're also introducing contact-free Zoom calls with Santa. To give everyone a chance to have a call with Santa and to manage demand, these calls are available for a fee. Although these Zoom calls are contactless, customers will still receive photographs with Santa as part of this fee," Mr Stewart said.

Although it has been a dramatically different year, Mr Cale has not let that dampen his Christmas spirit.

"That suit for me is something very magical, when I put it on, I become the character. I love doing it and if I could, I'd be Santa every day of my life," he said.