Sunday, November 29, 2009

Santa has it all over black Friday...


Santa certainly has it all over black Friday. That is the way it appears at Phipps Mall here in Atlanta, Ga. The holiday frenzy starts mid year with Mothers shopping for the perfect outfit for their little ones to wear for the annual photo with Santa. Here in Atlanta it is a tradition to come to Phipps and have your child photographed with the same Santa every year. The Santa area looks like a modern day movie set with a high price tag.

On Oct.8, 2009 precisely at 12:01 AM the online reservations begin. Weeks before you can find notices on iphones and taped to magnets on refrigerators to reminder Moms and Dads not to miss the opening day of Santa photo registration. Reservations sell out each and every year in record time. I refer to this as a Willy Wonka type of magic ticket lottery. This year my daughter stayed up until midnight along with most of the Moms in Atlanta for a reservation for our little "Mr. Vundervants". Personally I think this is nutty. I mean why just not go to another Mall and see another Santa for FREE?

Let me give you a little history here about little "Mr. Vundervants". For the past two years he has been all dressed in his finest. We blah blah blah about the nice man in the red suit for the entire week prior to our visit. We all take turns reading Santa books and talk the whole nine yards. He then takes one look at Santa and cries. So why would this year be any different? "Mr. Vundervants" has certainly showed off his muscle mass by holding onto his Mom with a death grip that could rival any weight lifter on steroids.


After prying him off of Moms black and blue arms he was placed gingerly upon Santa's knee. Instead of playing jingle bells they should have been playing Cry Me A River. The tears were flowing readily.


The offering of a candy cane from Santa did nothing to make the tears stop flowing. He was up and out of there faster then Prancer and Dancer.

Thank heavens Christmas only comes but once a year!
Do you have an Santa photo memories?
Inquiring minds want to know.
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43 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 28, 2009 at 3:48 PM

    I don't have a single photo with Santa! Poor Me!!! That is a fine looking Santa and I'm sorry Mr. Vundervants was scared. He does look cute in his holiday outfit.

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  2. DebNovember 28, 2009 at 4:47 PM

    I expect the same response from Mr. Jack! Poor little guys...Santa is not a bad guy!
    Love the post today!

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  3. Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...November 28, 2009 at 5:11 PM

    Funny post...I laughed out loud! Never ever heard of making an appt. for Santa! Amazing! All those tears...sigh, poor little guy! Have a great week, xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  4. nannyNovember 28, 2009 at 5:38 PM

    bless his heart....wonder why santa is so scary? love your new look....

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  5. PegNovember 28, 2009 at 6:42 PM

    In defense of Mr. Vundervants' mom, that is a wonderful Santa. I think he might just be the REAL one! Here we tell them all year, "don't talk to strangers" and then we plunk them down on the lap of a big old guy in a furry red suit... well, what do we expect from them? All those books and Santa talks don't mean a thing. Poor little guy... I dread it already!

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  6. JustabeachkatNovember 28, 2009 at 6:57 PM

    I've seen him lots of times and he really does look like the real deal, but making an appointment? Crazy!

    BTW...love your blog look.

    I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  7. DixieNovember 28, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    Definately worth it! Thanks one great looking Santa!

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  8. AiringMyLaundryNovember 28, 2009 at 7:47 PM

    My daughter will definately scream when she sees Santa. She did last year too.

    I wish our mall Santa looked like that!

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  9. aspiritofsimplicityNovember 29, 2009 at 4:43 AM

    My sister once sent out Christmas cards with her son crying on Santa's lap.

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  10. AnonymousNovember 29, 2009 at 7:09 AM

    Wow, reservations to get a picture with Santa? That's incredible. He sure does look like the real deal and tradition is tradition.

    Makes me sad when the tears come from the little ones. Decades ago I was a Santa's helper in a mall (back when I could pull off a very short red skirt, body suit, and hat)I saw way too many tears from kids fearful of Santa. At least this Santa looks kind and not scary.

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  11. MaggieNovember 29, 2009 at 8:18 AM

    I do have a photo of me sitting on Father Christmas's knee circa 1954. If I can find it, I might just be crazy enough to post it on my blog on St Nicholas Day!

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  12. TannaNovember 29, 2009 at 8:25 AM

    LOL! That is a wonderful story, Joyce! I do hate that Mr. Vundervants did not enjoy his visit to the most popular Santa I have ever heard of! But, he did look quite handsome in his holiday attire!

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  13. Vintage Inspired JewelryNovember 29, 2009 at 10:28 AM

    Wow, that must be some Santa If you have to make an appointment In October. Loved your post.
    Take care...Kathi

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  14. AnonymousNovember 29, 2009 at 12:21 PM

    Laughing out loud! How he will laugh over these photos in years to come! What a hoot. And what a good (black-and-blue) mother you are.

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  15. CarolNovember 29, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    LOL, great story!

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  16. Chatty CroneNovember 29, 2009 at 6:35 PM

    Oh that is so sweet - they are just so scared when they are little . . . nice looking Santa.

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  17. Southern LadyNovember 30, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    Hi, Joyce ... Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment on my Southern Lagniappe blog. I'm so glad it led me to your "Flour Power."

    I loved your Santa story. Your little guy is so precious, and Santa is one of the prettiest I've ever seen.

    I enjoyed my visit and will be back again soon.

    Sincerely,

    Janie

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  18. One Cheap B*tchNovember 30, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    Yeah that's about right! Last year my little guys were good but I dread as the 2 year old is attached to my hip!

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  19. One Cheap B*tchNovember 30, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    I meant to write I dread this year! lol

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  20. Sonya Lee ThompsonNovember 30, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    LOL! This was so cute. The young ones are usually scared to death of this stranger we make them take a photo with. Thanks for sharing!

    Sonya

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  21. DarylNovember 30, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    I think at a certain age Santa and Clowns are both horribly scary 'people'

    I love the holiday wallpaper, Joyce!

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  22. JeanneNovember 30, 2009 at 3:07 PM

    Hello Joyce, love the tree lights on your side bar. Love your header too.

    I am still laughing at the way out Santa presentation. I will say the setting is beautiful and very magical. However, the crying child is a losing prediction. Not a good photo. What we put ourselves through for the sake of a photo.
    Last Christmas we had a special Christmas blog event which I was determined to make magical. I decorated, baked four different desserts, presented them in a beautiful Christmas display.
    Here is the kicker...I finished by midnight, took photos and then posted a very involved post. 3:00 am I finally went to bed. HA! All for the sake of the blog. Then I had all that dessert to get rid of because I didn't want to eat it. I am still laughing about it. Never again.

    Thank you for a fun post to read.

    Hugs, Jeanne

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  23. xinexNovember 30, 2009 at 10:11 PM

    Oh that's funny having to have an appt with Santa! And poor baby...I just want to pick him up....Christine

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  24. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiDecember 1, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    Hi Joyce
    Awww ..it's so hard to know at what age to get the magical Santa photo...some children never cry and some children always do. At least you all tried, and someday when Mr. V is older he will have a good laugh over this picture!

    I'm going to post my Santa photo memory on Pink Saturday. I was thrilled, Santa was not..lol...come over to see on Saturday!

    Hugs, Pat

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  25. Chatty CroneDecember 1, 2009 at 5:16 PM

    And Richard Pryor married a couple of them twice - at least he didn't behead them!

    Yes, Lake Lanier was fun.

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  26. Judy December 1, 2009 at 7:08 PM

    I have a few grands that would prefer not to get anywhere near Santa...and another that would like to stay on his lap! But every child must have a Santa photo.

    Thanks for your visit.

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  27. The Quintessential MagpieDecember 1, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    I'm sorry to laugh, but this looks like my godson the first time he saw Santa. Then, he improved and adored him. Thus, it was hard to pry him out of Santa's lap! LOL! Your day will come...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  28. susanDecember 2, 2009 at 3:31 AM

    Joyce-I am SO glad I finally got here!! After all my Mr. Linky woes I needed a good laugh. Isn't this the truth.It reminds me of parents who take children kicking and screaming into the ocean--"your're gonna love it---right"! I have to admit--he is a really good Santa. One day Mr. Vundervants will laugh over and cherish these pictures. Thanks for participating in Deck the Halls. Hope you'll come back on Tuesday.

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  29. JientjeDecember 2, 2009 at 5:33 AM

    I was scared to death myself as a young child!

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  30. ShellbelleDecember 2, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    In all our Santa photos as children, my brother and I are beaming. My sister…crying! lol

    Sounds like Santa in Atlanta has a busy social calendar. I'm with you, I'd choose another mall.

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  31. theUngourmetDecember 2, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    Poor thing! It can be a bit traumatic sitting on Santa's lap.

    I love your Christmas lights! Very cute!:D

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  32. Robert WalkerDecember 2, 2009 at 12:14 PM

    Just found your blog! Great shots!

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  33. AnonymousDecember 2, 2009 at 12:28 PM

    Poor little darling! He just can't help it being so afraid, can he? I remember when my son was afraid of Santa! Your post made me laugh.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  34. ReeniDecember 2, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    Santa is kind of loud... and odd-looking! He is the best-dressed fancy pants of a Santa I think I've ever seen.

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  35. Barbara BakesDecember 2, 2009 at 6:47 PM

    Wow that does sound a little nutty. Lol! What we won't do for our kids! I think I like some of the crying pictures now better than the normal ones.

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  36. UnknownDecember 3, 2009 at 3:29 AM

    Don't you just love seeing the little ones with Santa. Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Talk soon.
    Sandy

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  37. AnonymousDecember 3, 2009 at 7:09 AM

    When my daughter was young, she hated Santa...at least when she had to sit on his lap.

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  38. The Blonde DuckDecember 3, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    Popped in from Reeni's to say hi!!

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  39. HeidiDecember 3, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    That's so funny, but sad, too, in a way. All that jostling for an appointment. And then the poor little kids get so scared and cry through the whole thing,don't they?
    No matter, I always stop to watch and say hi to Santa,(he's my favorite guy!) I still feel like a kid myself this time of the year!
    I have a little award for you and Flour Power, hope you will stop by to accept it.
    Have a great weekend.
    XO
    Heidi - Heart and Home

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  40. MichelleDecember 3, 2009 at 1:04 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment!

    I'm going to attempt taking my 21 month old to see Santa...and wondering how that is going to go! He wasn't impressed with the characters when we went to Disney this summer. Tigger scared him so much LOL

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  41. black eyed susans kitchenDecember 3, 2009 at 4:37 PM

    One day, you are all going to laugh about this. I have a great picture of Santa handing my then 18 mos old daughter in the middle back to be with the biggest boo boo face on. She is in college now, and still doesn't think it is funny. Just too cute!
    Susan

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  42. PamelaDecember 5, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    That is sooo crazy and I have two little guys. A wonderful Santa though! Thanx for stopping by and I now will be sure to do the same!

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  43. KathleenDecember 8, 2009 at 7:51 PM

    Aww..what a great story! He is so cute!

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