The Magic Of Santa

 

 

Since my son Lucas was born 15 years ago, we’ve been visiting Santa before Christmas! It’s a family tradition! This year, we visited the Santa HQ Experience!

For me, Santa’s meaning comes from my home country, Brazil, where Santa is called Father Noel. The tradition was brought from the Portuguese who colonized my country: Papai Noel!

He is a father like figure, representing all parents who bring gifts to children the night before Christmas.

Santa also symbolizes the hopes and dreams of children all over the world!

In order to keep my son believing in magic, he and I write letters to Santa every year! Hot cocoa with pen and paper make the experience an annual tradition!

My son turned 15 this year, so when I was invited to visit the Santa HQ at the Deptford Mall on a school day, I was surprised when my son asked me to pick him up at lunch time to bring him to my annual visit! Because … you’re never too old, you know?

The whole experience is so magical for the kids! We started by making a reservation for our picture because, you know the lines can be huge at this time of year!

To check it out and make your own reservation at your local mall, you can click HERE.

As as we arrived, we were in for a treat!

Here is more from our Santa HQ Experience:

HGTV’S SANTA HQ IS A NEW, UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE FOR THE FAMILY

HGTV’s Santa HQ adds a whole new dimension to the traditional family Santa Claus visit by guiding visitors through an immersive, interactive holiday extravaganza that uses state-of-the-art digital technology. With 15 different locations at Macerich Shopping Centers in California, Arizona, Chicago, Metro New York, and the Washington, D.C. corridor, each Santa HQ location is set to astonish you, your family and friends with a dazzling array of holiday experiences, including:

Elf Academy, a new, family-friendly experience that features interactive technology to enhance the entire HGTV Santa HQ visit. New additions to the Elf Academy include:

 

•  The Magic Mirror: Guests can transform into one of Santa’s elves and virtually try on various elf outfits.
  

 

 

• Elf-ID: Guests can create their very own customized Elf-ID card using the new Elf-ID app and a “selfie”.

 

• Elfie Selfie: Where visitors take a selfie and star in their own holiday video

• Elf-Ray Vision: Guests can explore Santa’s Observatory through the use of special goggles that trigger a series of augmented reality experiences at multiple locations throughout Santa HQ including two triggers at Entrance Arch; one trigger on exterior of the Workshop; Toy triggers underneath the Christmas Tree in the Workshop, and enhanced triggers in the observatory.

 

• Naughty or Nice Meters: Where visitors can stand next to an interactive board to find out which list of Santa’s they made. My son was nervous, LOL, but he tried this one! So much fun! Check it out!  

  Naughty or Nice? What do you think?

I’m so happy with how our pictures came out! I took my own picture with Santa, because you’re never too old to dream, right???

What do you think of my Picture At Santa HQ?

I’m using this one on our Christmas Card!

You can check out the whole Santa HQ experience:

And find out if they have a Santa HQ near you, by clicking HERE.

 

We had an amazing experience, the staff was so happy to help us with questions and to enjoy the experience! I personally recommend you to come and bring your little or not so little ones to experience Santa HQ if you are in NJ (or live near one of their other locations)!

 

Do you take your family to take pictures with Santa? Here are some other holiday adventures from previous years.

 

Can’t wait to hear what you think!

 

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