Say Cheese! 13 Photo-Worthy Santas Worth the Wait

Whatever your tradition is---there are plenty of options (and plenty of St. Nicks) to choose from this year. Here are 13 Seattle-area standouts.

By Erin Cranston November 1, 2012

We parents make the holidays so difficult sometimes, whether it’s dressing the kiddos up in scratchy Christmas outfits, making them wait in long lines for hours, or insisting they sit on some bearded dude’s lap just so we can get our treasured Santa photo. Do they really remember that we go to the same Santa every year? Probably not, but it sure makes for a seriously awesome Christmas tradition. To help minimize the Santa photo stress, we’ve rounded up the best places to seek out your St. Nick nirvana. Choosing the least meltdown-inducing matching Christmas sweaters for your mini-mes? That one’s up to you.

Santa Without Tears: Southcenter Mall

Santa has arrived at Southcenter Mall! He’s conveniently located next to the Disney Store on the main floor, and even more conveniently, you can schedule your photo ahead of time with the Santa Fast Pass – no long line meltdowns for you this holiday season! That’ll put the Merry in your Christmas for sure! There are also a couple fun and festive opportunities for your little elves to spend a little extra time with Santa and Mrs Claus this holiday season, including Breakfast with Santa on December 7th and 8th at the Rainforest Café (call 206-248-8882 for reservations and details), and Jingle Belles: A Holiday Party for Mommy and Me from 12 to 4:00 p.m. on December 7th in the Westfield Sky Terrace. Both include crafts, food, fun and visits from the Mr. or Mrs. of the merriest married couple in the North Pole. Can’t get any more sweet than that! Photo packages start at $21 and all include a $10-20 Shutterfly gift card.

Dates: November 16 – December 24

2800 Southcenter Mall
Seattle, Wa 98188
206-246-0423

Let us know where you take the kiddos for Santa photos every year in a comment below!

–Erin Cranston & Allison Ellis

Photos credits: Fred Jala via Flickr, Katie Christiansen, Space Needle Facebook page, santaphotos.com, Erin Cranston, Heidi Larsen, Danielle Dolbec, Janine Vazquez, Christmas Creek Farm website and Arin Winsor, Wing Luke Museum Facebook page