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.

Most Authentic Santa: Alderwood Mall

We’ve been told that the Alderwood Mall Santa wins for “most authentic” by local moms. They’ve had the same Santa here year after year–which is really convenient for taking those holiday photos as the kids get older (and wiser). And who can resist his awesome and adorable outfits? They offer a variety of photo packages, and if it’s your baby’s first visit with Santa, you can purchase a special commemorative photo package with a certificate signed by Santa Claus and Rudolph and a special keepsake frame. Santa’s Pajama Party happens Tuesdays starting November 19, a great way to keep the kids cozy while they cuddle with Santa. Photo packages begin at $25.

Dates: November 7 – December 24

3000 184th Street SW
Lynnwood, Wa 98037
425-771-1121

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