You know, there seem to be two kinds of kids when it comes to visiting Santa: those who are thrilled to hop onto his lap and share their Christmas wish lists, and those who would rather run in the opposite direction at the mere sight of a jolly man in a red suit. My kiddos? They definitely fall into the second category.
I get it, though. Growing up, visiting a mall Santa wasn’t really a thing for me, so I find it a bit strange. I mean, really? “Go ahead, darling! Sit on that bearded guy’s lap and spill your heart out. Oh, and feel free to take a candy cane from him!” It’s just a tad odd, right? But then again, who can resist the cuteness of a child crying on Santa’s lap? It’s practically a holiday tradition, and there are even websites dedicated to those hilarious moments!
There’s a mall nearby with a Santa who looks pretty authentic—snow-white beard, plush red suit, the whole nine yards. He’s like the grandpa you wish you had, not creepy at all. So, I figured if we were going to give the Santa experience a shot, this would be the place to do it.
For a couple of years, my boys were not having it. But last holiday season, something changed. During a mall visit, my five-year-old, Jake, suddenly decided he wanted to visit Santa. Of course, his little brother, Max, followed suit. Smart move, right? Better to ask Santa directly for that specific remote-controlled monster truck than risk getting something subpar!
So, we stood in line…and stood…and stood some more. Then, just as we got to the front, Max got cold feet. It was like trying to drag him to the doctor for shots. Not even Santa’s gentle coaxing could get him to budge! Jake went ahead, and of course, little Max freaked out watching from the sidelines.
In true toddler fashion, he suddenly decided he wanted to sit on Santa’s lap after all. So, we waited again, only for him to chicken out once we reached the front. No friendly elf could get him close enough, but at least he accepted a candy cane, which was a win in my book!
So, while only one of my kids truly embraced the mall Santa experience, at least we have a photo to show for it, even if it wasn’t as hilarious as I hoped. Will you be taking your little ones to see Santa this year?
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In summary, the decision to visit Santa really depends on your child’s personality. For some, it’s a magical experience, while for others, it can be a source of anxiety. Either way, capturing those moments—whether they’re filled with joy or tears—can make for great holiday memories.
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