Yesterday the kids and I braved the mall to go and see Santa Clause. I figured it was kind of an endurance test, to see how they are going to be when we go to Disney World at Christmas/New Years (I can't get over the insanity of going to WDW at this time of year). We stood in line for a little over an hour (you read me right - over an hour to see the jolly old man.) The kids were surprisingly good. Every once in a while Ms. R would ask to be picked up (to which I said, "If you want to see Santa, you have to stand in this line on your own feet"... does that make me a bad mom?) and B-Man would go into the prone position on the floor ... but can you blame them? I was thinking as we waited that if the pictures were around $5 I could see getting a copy. It's one of those moments that you're supposed to have proof of - or something. I was shocked senseless when I was approached by the photographer, "The prices are as follows: $19.95 for one 5x7 .... "blah blah blah ... I pretty much blanked out after the initial shock from what they wanted for ONE picture. They did not allow you to take your own photos without a minimum picture purchase. So I graciously said my kids were more interested in seeing and talking to Santa than a picture with him. I think I was the only parent who said that, as we were the only ones standing in line without the white order envelope.
TWENTY DOLLARS? That is extortion! I can see how they get you though, where else are you going to go to get pictures taken with Santa? Our stake has banned "Santas" at ward parties as it "takes away from the true spirit of Christmas". We don't go to any work parties since Jerry owns or has shares in the companies that pay our bills (he'll give bonuses, but not parties). So no other Santa's. I figure we'll go see Santa again, next time we'll take Jerry, so he can foot the bill and it doesn't come out of my budget ;)
5 comments:
Oh the things we do for our children.
Holy Crap, $20!?! Well I say order the $30 Santa suit from the sears catolog and have someone you know dress up in it and take your own pictures. Maybe you could start your own business & every year have pictures with Santa only$5?! lol
Did I mention that Rhys & Alaina's pic with Santa was $5? 'Cause it only cost $5...
Maybe it's because Santa is closer to Lethbridge than he is to Texas. The extra $15 could have been travel expenses... reindeer feed, sleigh parking, A/C (doesn't have to use it very often up here).
If you think that is extortion, just wait until you go to DisneyWorld! I hate to say that and scare you, but we were there last year; Jerrod had a work conference at one of the resorts at DisneyWorld and it was RIDICULOUS! We both went away feeling that Mickey Mouse was truly the devil trying to rob us blind. We had our hotel and all of Jerrod's expenses paid for by his company, but it cost an arm and a leg just for me to eat there for a week. If I ever went there again, I would bring all my food from home...especially if you stay actually at DisneyWorld. I'm sure if you have a car and can get to a restaurant or grocery store away from DisneyWorld it is not as bad, but anything on their property is sooo expensive and you can't easily get away from there unless you do have your own vehicle....it's like really far from everything else. Maybe you've been there and know this, but if not, for your sanity, bring some food and everything with you if you don't think you can get away from the actual Disneyworld resort areas. Mickey Mouse will try to bankrupt you.
Oh, and I wouldn't pay $20 for a picture either. Santa will probably come to your ward Christmas party, right?
not a bad mom a smart mom, Christmas and all the other holidays have just become a money grab. mom
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