Us mamas are busier than most this time of year. Besides shopping, decorating, gift wrapping, baking, Elf in the Shelf-ing and more, there’s the yearly visit to the mall to see the big guy! The kids love sitting on Santa’s lap, rattling off their Christmas list and taking a fun pic that we will keep for years to come. Well honestly my son doesn’t like to pose for the pics, he hates having to sit still! However, he knows if he wants to sit on Santa’s lap, he’s gotta give mama a handsome smile for the pic. This is as much for me as it is for him, and he knows it! Last year we started a bit of a different tradition by visiting HGTV’s Santa HQ, which is an interactive experience that transforms the traditional visit with Santa into a fun and modern experience. This year we headed back to the mall for HGTV’s Santa HQ, and it was even more fun cause they invited pets to join in on the fun for the Santa Paws event!
Parents and kids alike brought their doggies (kitties were allowed too) to meet Santa and take pix with the big guy and their families.
Like last year when we arrived, my son and his friends were immediately asked to test out the ‘Naughty O’ Nice Meter’, to make sure that they made the right list!
He and his friends were relieved that they made it to the ‘nice’ list (not that we doubted), and moved through the rest of the exhibit.
While visiting Santa HQ, guests can customize their individual experience by using augmented reality to view Santa’s Workshop and Observatory in a magical way. Visitors can download the Elf-Ray Vision app or use a provided tablet (like we did below) to discover the enchanting world of Santa HQ in stunning 2D and 3D digital scenes…super cool!
Next up is a pic with your pet. Abby is a big part of our family so it was really cool to get to include her! My sweet boy and his pet look great in this shot, and Abby was a great sport posing for the picture–that may even be a little smile she’s showing off there, however we can’t really confirm that :)
Last but not least time came to meet the ‘big guy’. Let me tell you mamas, this Santa had more patience that I’ve ever seen in any Santa like in EVER. Not only did he have to wait for each kid to get situated, but he also had to calmly wait as their pets were settled and cooperated (or not). Our Santa Claus experience did not disappoint and our pix turned out great!
Sure Abby may look a little terrified, but hey at least she sat quietly, right? We left with our pictures in hand; they had the photos available for purchase right then and there and we have the option to order more online.
We had the BEST time at HGTV’s Santa HQ again this year! If you’ll be in one of these areas this month, I highly recommend this experience for your kiddos:
Arizona:
Chandler Fashion Center, Chandler, opens Nov. 7
Scottsdale Fashion Center, Scottsdale, opens Nov. 14
California:
Vintage Faire, Modesto, opens Nov. 5
Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos, opens Nov. 7
Lakewood Center, Lakewood, Calif., opens Nov. 7
Colorado:
Flatiron Crossing, Broomfield, opens Nov. 7
Connecticut:
Danbury Fair, Danbury, opens Nov. 6
New Jersey:
Deptford Mall, Deptford Township, opens Nov. 5
Oregon:
Washington Square, Portland, opens Nov. 7
Washington D.C. area:
Tysons Corner Center in Virginia opens Nov. 14
Reservations can be made in advance at santa-hq.com/reservations. If you want to spread the love on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, be sure to use #loveHGTV, you may appear on HGTV.com!
Wanna hear about something SUPER FAB? Duh, of course you do! A visit with Santa inside his modernized sleigh comes with an opportunity to enter for the chance to win $10,000 in HGTV’s Spreading Holiday Cheer Sweepstakes {more details available at Santa HQ}!
Another visit to Santa in the books, and my son couldn’t be happier. Now if I could only get those presents wrapped and under the tree!
~Santa HQ and Santa Paws is open until Christmas Eve~
Merry Christmas my friends!
This post is sponsored by HGTV’s Santa HQ, all opinions & accounts of the experience are 100% genuine and my own. #SantaHQ #loveHGTV
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