Santa pictures cost so much at the mall. Last year CVS did them tons cheaper and we bought them from there. I think it's nuts how high priced the mall is on pictures.

What about you?

We take the kids when santa comes to town and they are only like $2 a pic but last year dd 1 wouldn't sit on his lap

Last year Wal-Mart did them for free but they were very cheesy. It was the first time I had taken my ds 3 to get pics with Santa and I wasn't sure if he'd freak out or not. He did really well so we may have to find a better quality place this year. I think a local church down the road from us does them for donations.

My mom works at Garmin and they always have a holiday party with Mr. and Mrs. Claus there as well as clowns, crafts, and treats. It is lots of fun and I get to take my own pics and Garmin also takes some and prints them out there for us. Mr. & Mrs. Claus look so real it is nice.

My dd hates them though. Both years so far she has been red in the face and screaming. I don't think it will be any different this year. It is too funny but my dh doesn't think it is quite as funny as I do. He can't stand to see his little princess crying.

Last year was the first year I took Dylan and Riley to see Santa. We went to the mall and had them done. It was fairly expensive, but they turned out so cute and the Santa was just wonderful. We got lots of pictures too. I think we had 3 5x7, 4 4x6 and either 8 or 10 wallets. Something like that. I think it cost around $25 or so, but since I bought the package they gave me a $10 mall gift card. It wasn't a bad deal really.

The rotary club comes around our town on a sleigh and we take pictures right outside of the house. It is so sweet and the kids like it better than the mall!

And now the malls won't let you take your own pictures anymore. Did Santa come to CVS for the pictures?

And now the malls won't let you take your own pictures anymore. Did Santa come to CVS for the pictures?

I always take my own pictures. Really -- how can they stop you?

the mall here gives a free pic with Santa every year. I love taking the boys to see their reaction.

We do, but we have a Winter Wonderland where your child can get their pic taken with your camera (no charge for any of it).

Then, we go to Big Cedar every year and on Saturdays they have a meet 'n greet outside with Santa and Mrs. Claus and, again, it's no charge to take a pic with your own camera. The elf will even take a family photo for you!

I dont pay the high prices at the mall. They're so expensive!
I usually just let the kids sit on Santa's lap, so they can tell the big guy
what they want for xmas and lie to him saying they've been a "good boy".
:holiday09

I did the mall Santa pictures for each of my kids first Christmas. All 3 of them were SCREAMING!!

My daughter is only 1 but we did do the Santa pics for her first Xmas. I figure I'll have the pictures done every year for as long as she'll tolerate it! I did cheat big time - I purchased the cheapest picture I could ($2 for 4 wallets) and then when I got home I scanned them and edited them. By edit I inserted the words "Samira's 1st Christmas 2007" into one of the pillows. There was no way that I was paying $15 for a little 5x7 that is on cheap photo paper.

No way to expensive at the mall.

My DD will not go near him.

I am in college and my school has a breakfast with Santa with free pictures. We will be doing that again this year!
It actually pays to go to school!
It is so sad that we are thinking about this stuff so soon-I think parents enjoy christmas as much as the kids do!!

When the kids were smaller their school had a Santa come up every year and took a picture that they sent home on a calander for the year. We have not done the mall pictures in some time they are just SO high!

Our Bass Pro Shop did them last year. They had a sleigh pulled by "stuffed" reindeer and Santa and the kids sat in the sleigh. They only charged $5 and it was really cute! Not sure if they all do it, but I will definitely be looking for it again this year.

I always take my own pictures. Really -- how can they stop you?

i remember at one of these fancy LA malls, they charged 5 bucks if you were going to use your own camera.

Every year I say I'm not buying them -- but I do. They keep getting more expensive every year & the quality gets worse.

Every year we go to the mall and get the kids pic taken with Santa and pay the $5 for a picture.

My DD is 3 (will be 4 next week) and for the past 2 years, I couldn't even get her to SIT on Santa's lap, let alone get a good shot of her with him, so I didn't feel so bad just taking her to Walmart and getting a free pix. Both Santas were cheesy looking, and so was the backdrop (wrapping paper with some fake presents around).

Who knows, maybe this year she won't freak. Maybe not - but I am not going to pay top dollar at the mall for a picture of her standing next to Santa... lol!

Yep ...pics with Santa is a must. I know they are pricey but our local Wal-Mart does them for free. And the Background at our's is really pretty and the guy who has played "Santa" the past 2 years is great with the kids. He also looks wounderful!!! After I get my free 5X7 I got to the machine and print some xtra for the grandpartents and a few wallets. The santa at our local mall dose not look or act the part.....which in my oponion stinks!!!

The only place that I know of around here to get pics with Santa is the mall. I don't have to make the choice about buying them, because neither DD6 or DS3 will go near Santa. Last year DS3 walked through the line and then yelled at him from about 15 feet away what he wanted, but refused to sit on his lap.

DD's gramps is a friend of Santa so we get to take the pictures at home.

This will be my little guy's first Christmas so I will probably do the Santa photo. One of the local malls does Santa and Mrs. Claus. The background is beautiful and they both look very realistic.

I get them but not at the mall.

our boys see Santa, and we buy the smallest pic...listed like one 5x7, then we make copies of it.

It is expensive but it is also a tradition.

My oldest daughter is petrified of men with beards, so we avoid Santa for her (and our own) sanity.

I got them made last year of ds (8) and dd (9 months). The pictures are priceless! There's one of my dd with her lip sticking way out and her nose is red (this was after she saw who was holding her). The lady taking the pictures didn't want to give me that pic, but I insisted. Great memories!

we do them every year, Last year my picture had the 19,15,9,7 year old in it