Is it rude to go see the Santa at the mall, and not buy a picture? My 3yo DD REALLY wants to go see him, but we really can't afford a picture until next payday.
I would put it off until then... But she was SUPPOSED to see him tonight at the Christmas parade... But it got too cold for her even bundled up and with an extra blanket, so we left early.
And we will be going back for pictures when we have the money... She just REALLY wants to see him, and has been talking about him all week. She just couldn't take the cold any more. :(
Anywhere with free Santas or take your own pic Santas are in Chattanooga, which is too far of a drive with our unreliable, broken-heater vehicle.
I think I will take her to the mall, and ask them before being in line just to be sure. I just feel awkward going without taking the pic, because the people are RIGHT THERE waiting to take it.
If anything, I guess it will give me a chance to make sure she will actually sit with him before bothering getting her dressed up. The last two years didn't work out so well, as she didn't want to sit with him so I had to hold her instead and was not prepared to get my pic take. I really love the Santa they have at the mall... He looks very authentic, and is wearing a good vest instead of the traditional coat, which if like, and the pictures are actually good quality. I do plan on buying the pic next payday, but my dd really had her heart set on seeing him earlier tonight.
I have no plans of trying to take my own pictures.
It's okay. That is the way they make money. They offer a moment with santa and then make money from the photo. So they will make money off the others. No worries.
If there's a Cabela's near you they do free santa pics. The santa at the one near us has consistently been the best too.
Well I certainly HOPE she can see Santa without having to buy a photo, but call first to make sure they're not going to demand it.
Mymission below mentions taking a camera to take your own picture but our mall doesn't even allow that anymore, it's horrible and ridiculous and I've told them so (to no avail of course.) If you try to take your own photo the "elves" block you!!! How's THAT for holiday spirit?
You are not obligated to buy a picture. Definitely let your daughter say hello to him and give him her list.
Edit... Look for a Christmas bazaar or a farm where Santa visits and take your own pictures. I think it is criminal that the mall Santa charges $25 for a 5x7" digital photo printed on crappy paper.
No, it's not rude. It's all digital now, I think, so they loose nothing but a few minutes if you don't buy a picture. And if you can go when it's not busy it works out for everyone.
There are certainly kids who see Santa at our mall without the picture. It is a stated option, and I would not feel rude about it if she wanted to go and say hi.
You might also want to go online and see if there are any promos you can buy ahead to save $.
ETA: Most of the time, you are NOT allowed to take your own photo. Your child can visit,but unless you purchase the package, don't take a picture. You might want to find another Santa event if you want to also take the picture yourself.
No it's not rude. You don't have to buy a photo.
It is not rude to go see the mall Santa and not buy a picture. They only take a picture if you ask them to. If you don't ask for a picture ahead of time it is just a visit.
Doesn't Bass Pro Shop have a free Santa and crafts etc? Not sure if there is one in your area. Also, there are pancake breakfasts with Santa at churches, VFW.s etc . There must be somewhere you can go for free. Good luck !
Not rude at all. I work in a mall management office and I know it is perfectly fine. Do we want you to purchase pictures? Of course. Do we realize that some people just can't afford it right now? Sure do!
Talk to your daughter and tell her that you can take her to see Santa but won't be able to do her picture until xx/xx or you can wait until xx/xx so you can do the picture at the same time. Ask what she prefers and then honor that.
You could check with your mall first, if it really bothers you. Our mall Santa info page has this info - Your Visit with Santa is always FREE! Included: smiles, hugs, wish taking, hand holding and Surprise Gift (i think it's a coloring book?). Maybe yours lists something similar.
The malls here always invite the kids to just come and say hi. We are still see Santa from a distance, but the mall workers let us know that we are welcome to come over to visit. Have fun with your little girl and enjoy the visit!
At our mall, you can definitely go and the child can talk to Santa without buying a picture. But you can't take your own picture. You either buy theirs, or just talk with no pic.
At our Mall, you can wait in line and NOT purchase a photo.
The photos at our mall aren't bad...not expensive...at least not that **I** think so...for $10 we can get a 5x7 and 4 wallets...that was last years prices..I don't know about this year haven't gone.
We go to Bass Pro, where we see Santa and get a free picture, and they don't stop you from taking your own. At our mall, you can't take your own, you either get one of their pictures or no picture.
Our mall has the option to just visit Santa without the picture. We've done that for the last 9 years after getting ripped off with lousy, expensive pictures when our oldest was little.
I don't think so... also, Santa might be at other places like a church or community centers.. in those cases, the pics you get are the ones you take.. can you take her to see a different Santa?
You don't have to buy anything! They won't notice. $21 at our mall was cheapest package.
Not rude but talk to the person that is taking care of things first. We have 2 malls here that do encourage you to purchase photos but you can say they just want to see Santa and no picture. No problem. One of them--the farthest from me of course, also lets you take your own pictures with your own camera.
No, you don't have to buy those overpriced photos. You can take your camera and she can see Santa.
Just make sure it is allowed before you get her hopes up. The mall here requires the purchase of a picture, which is why I take my kid to the BX instead. Sometimes even Walmart has a Free Santa, you could call and ask, and they give a free picture as well (at least here they do).
We went and got Santa pictures done today...there was a big sign that said that you could not use your camera or cell phone to get a picture or video. You could probably go meet Santa for free...but I bet they expect most folks to buy some pictures...
I can't imagine that they possibly expect every single person to buy the picture with Santa. If it's not explicitly stated at the entrance to the line that buying a photo is required, then you aren't under any obligation to buy it. Just take her. Make sure to be appreciative and thank them.
At our mall you are allowed to just sit with Santa, but you will not be allowed to take any pictures yourself. When I was there, they were asking people, "are you buying pictures?", so it is an option. I definitely saw a few kids just go talk to Santa. Don't be embarrassed to ask - maybe you already bought pics and your daughter wants to see Santa again - they don't need to know your situation. Your daughter will be happy and that is all that matters ! Have fun!
What if they can't even get a good picture? you would be obligated to buy it? Tell them you were in the area so you stopped by. If they get a great picture maybe there is an option to purchase the same pic later. With technology these days it would not surprise me if you could go on a website a week later to buy it still. If not you should make the suggestion.
Don't know. But my kids have seen Santa at the mall and then I whip out my phone and take a picture! The mall Santa has always smiled and been very nice when I take my own picture.
I do that with the Easter bunny too!
Call me cheap, I'm okay with that.
L.
I've never know anyone to buy their picture. We just go, sit on his lap, get the candy, then leave. If you feel uncomfortable about the waste of film then tell them when you go up you don't need a picture.
AND by all means, do NOT take one yourself. That's what is so odd to me. A person takes their own pictures and doesn't pay Santa for his time. IF you just sit on his lap and get a candy cane, well, that's the way it's supposed to be.
It is not rude at all, just tell them ahead that you are not ready for pictures. My girls have seen him twice, we were shopping at the mall and no one was in line, I asked if they could say hi and they were like absolutely and I told them i would come back with my school aged child. We do buy pictures every year. Our mall does not allow you to take your own pictures so I don't, I would feel like I am stealing.
i would really hope that any mall with a santa will have a santa who is happy to oblige without the overpriced photo.
he's SANTA!
go and let your little one have a great time.
khairete
S.
No it is not rude.
That is why the Mall has the Santa. They want the traffic. They make some money off of the photos, but they make way more money when people are window shopping and purchase merchandise from the retailers and the retailers continue to pay their leases. .
The hiring the staff at the photo section costs money.. So selling the photos help them cover that cost (it easily pays for it self) . So never feel embarrassed about not purchasing.
Yesterday I was hired to organize a small festival and we had a "Free" Santa, this company paid for the Santa and the Professional Photographer was allowed to hand out her business cards and will have the list of names/emails from all of the people that posed with Santa, because she is going to give over her copyright on her photos, so these people can order their own photos..
I know these families were really excited to be able to take their children, the Photographer took as many photos as each family wanted..
Apparently this group has had this even for a few years, but it is getting, bigger and bigger each year. That is why they hired me to help them this year.
