When I think back to my childhood, I can’t recall a time when we went to visit Santa, though I do remember amazing Christmases. My oldest child is now 24 since he was a little one, we have tried to visit Santa during the Holiday season.  As a Mom of 6 little ones and my Husband deployed 6 different times, it was extremely difficult to take the kids out during the Holidays, but when he was home; visiting Santa is something we did. Now, as our youngest is 12 and the oldest at home is 17, and Visiting Santa is a Great Family Tradition. The kids look forward to seeing who can make who male the funniest face during a laugh, or who can make the others laugh out loud while speaking to Santa. It was perfect timing that the first snow of the Year happened as we were driving into Queens, NY.

 

This weekend my Family was invited to visit HGTV’s Santa HQ in the mall and of course we were excited to attend. Since this is the last year at home for our High School Senior, it is even more important for us to continue with our tradition and try to make her have the craziest laugh during the picture.

Visiting Santa’s HQ was so much fun, it was a welcomed change from a traditional red chair picture and what made it so much better than the rest were the interactive stations for everyone.

To visit Santa’s HQ, you can visit the site here  and learn all about the HQ and its activities, for a time that best suits your schedule you can also make reservations on the site and avoid waiting in lines! You can also prepay for your photograph package, so the most difficult thing you have left to do is choose your poses!

Visiting Santa is a Great Family Tradition

The first fun thing to do was finding out if we made the naughty or nice list, 

My Husband wanted to travel to the North Pole, but settled with knowing he’s on the nice list… for now

And of course I was surprised that it was taking too long to place me in the super nice list 😉

and some were very surprised at the results! She walked away fast before it could change results…

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After the list screening, we got our first shot at embarrassing the kids in front of the photographers.
Parents 1 Kids 0

Next was the Elfie Selfie Station!

The next section was my favorite: The control room!
The kids can pick up the iPads on the control deck and use them to look throughout the room, the gadgets and gizmos come alive, as well as some surprise visits from the Elves!

And who can visit the HGTV Santa HQ without visiting the main guy himself?
It was time to see Santa!

She was proud to tell Santa that she has been good all year…

Can the Parents make the kids laugh for the pictures?

We asked the photographers to use the baby rattle, no rules in this game!

Of course! Parents 2 – Kids 0!
To see the joy in her face when she hugs Santa, even as she prepares to leave for College; I can not describe it!

Of course you didn’t think that I was too old to visit with Santa right?!
I will never pass up a chance to chat with the big guy and let him know that I still believe!

I do plan on keeping this tradition long after my children have grown, they have been warned many times.  As Spouses and Grandchildren are added to the Family, so will the memories of visiting Santa!
If you haven’t visited the Santa HQ, make it a point to go, no commitment at all. You don’t need to make a reservation, just visit while you are at the mall and see for yourself if you like the HQ; I have a feeling you will 😉

I do hope that you are able to visit HGTV’s Santa’s HQ, it’s far more than just a visit; it’s an experience!

 

This is a sponsored blog post; while the opinions, suggestions, and wonderful memories are all mine, consideration was paid to review this product/place.