This post is sponsored by HGTV’s Santa HQ.
What is it about Christmas time? I have loved Christmas for as long as I can remember. I love spending time with family, eating, enjoying some time away from work, and I love Santa!
Now, as we get older we all eventually learn that Santa is not one fat guy in a red suit that circles the world. I can remember when I learned that my mother was Santa. And I can remember when the same happened for my kids. I think at some point all kids start to suspect. I can remember conversations in the car about whether or not Santa was real. And I can remember hearing my daughter say that she was going to pay close attention to Santa’s handwriting to see if it matched Mommy’s. I was like, “Uh oh. Here we go!” We did finally come to an understanding. However, who doesn’t love the idea of Santa? Even now as a grown woman I still love it. It’s the magic of the season, the magic of giving, and the magic of making loved ones happy.
Fashion Outlet Mall of Chicago
Yesterday, I braved the mall with 6 teens! Not only my 4, but my daughter’s boyfriend, and one of their friends. We spent a bit of time visiting Santa at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago out in Rosemont, IL. First… a bit about this mall. It… is… a… dangerous…place! Oh my goodness!! It’s pretty far from home, so I have not been there as much as I would like. But, wow! It’s just as it sounds… tons of designers stores with discount merchandise. There is a Michael Kors store, the Converse store, Bed. Bath, & Beyond and so much more. In other words… everything that makes my heart happy!
HGTV’s Santa HQ
Situated inside the Fashion Outlets of Chicago right outside of the food court is is a neat holiday experience in Macerich’s top malls around the country. Kids and adults alike can delight in the holidays by visiting the HGTV Santa HQ’s Elf Academy to have a little fun. Santa HQ immerses visitors in a technology filled interactive experience that includes some of our favorite HGTV personalities like the Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, Hilary and David from Love it or List It, and more.
We arrived on Saturday at around 5:00pm and got lucky. There was no line! However, this is not usual. I was told that we had just missed the rush! And I’m sure as Christmas draws closer the lines will get longer. You can spend less time in line by and pre-purchasing a photo package. There are 3 photo packages available.
The experience starts by scanning yourself on the Naughty or Nice O’Meter. Which one are you on Santa’s list? Watch your name pop up on the board!
Then you can check out some hidden gems using Elf-Ray Vision which gives you a look inside Santa’s Observatory with the magic of a tablet.
With Santa’s Magic Mirror, you can transform into one of Santa’s elves and create your very own Elf- ID Card.
The different activities keep everyone entertained while waiting to see the guest of honor… Santa!
Santa was awesome and very patient! He didn’t mind being covered in teenagers. We all had a great time visiting him before all of the teens ran off and left me!
Check out the Santa HQ near you!
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