Disclosure: This is sponsored post in collaboration with HGTV Santa HQ FlatIron Crossing and REACHORB. I was compensated for this experience; all opinions are my own.
Traditions. I love them, especially this time of the year. Since Jude’s first Christmas (2010) we have had a tradition of heading up to our favorite mall on Black Friday to visit Santa. Oh let me be clear, when I say Black Friday, I specifically mean around dinner time…after all the crazy shoppers are back home balancing their checkbooks! Over the years, this has been our official kick off to the holiday season and the kids really do look forward to it.
We are so lucky that our local “mall Santa” is apart of the HGTV Santa’s HQ. The first year we saw this set up we knew it was going to be a hit with the kids. I love that the whole experience is totally interactive.
Visiting HGTV Santa HQ – FlatIron Crossing Broomfield Colorado
HGTV’s Santa HQ adds a whole new dimension to the traditional family Santa Claus visit by guiding visitors through an immersive, interactive holiday extravaganza that uses of state-of- the-art digital technology. With 15 different locations at Macerich Shopping Centers in California, Colorado, Arizona, Chicago, Metro New York, and the Washington, D.C. corridor, each Santa HQ location is set with a dazzling array of holiday experiences, including:
The traditional photo-op with Santa Claus
Elfie Selfie: Where visitors take a selfie and star in their own holiday video
Elf-Ray Vision: Guests can explore Santa’s Observatory through the use of special goggles that trigger a series of augmented reality experiences at multiple locations throughout Santa HQ including two triggers at Entrance Arch; one trigger on exterior of the Workshop; Toy triggers underneath the Christmas Tree in the Workshop, and enhanced triggers in the observatory
Naughty or Nice Meters: Where visitors can stand next to an interactive board to find out which list of Santa’s they made
Light Show: With more than 10,000 individual holiday lights synchronized to the tune of “Carol of the Bells” to create an illuminated orchestra
Let me tell you a little about this picture of Jude. This boy, as we have discussed before, is a bit of a worrier and has a memory elephant. Therefore, as we were discussing our annual trip to their favorite mall he immediately started worrying about the Naughty or Nice Meter. He was so worried where he would land on the meter this year.
As we entered the HGTV Santa’s HQ we started our journey to see that great guy in a red suit. We stopped at that Naughty or Nice Meter and the kids took their turns. As you see Jude is very excited that he made it on the nice list. Once he saw this, he yelled “YES”!! Guess he was really worried. ha!! Oh the magic! Teagan also made the nice list…lucky for her.
Once we were checked by the Naughty or Nice Meter we entered into Santa’s Observatory which was the full interactive section of the experience. First I need to complement the staff at our Santa HQ, they were amazing. So great with the kids and you could tell they all really wanted to spread that magical joy with kids.
We could have stayed in this area for hours. It was so fun to use the tablets to search for those silly elves. Teagan loved trying to find Strawberry. Not only are the elves found using the tablets for the Elf-ray vision but there are really cool virtual pieces through out the observatory. The kids loved it.
Once we finally were able to get the kids out of the observatory, seriously they could have set up shop in there, we moved on to the most magical part of this experience! SANTA!!!!! I am so happy that this year Teagan was not terrified of Santa like she has been in the past. No more tears!
Our Santa was perfect. He was kind and great with the kids. Seeing him have a true conversation with Jude and Teagan made me happy. Oh and he told the kids that they need to make sure they are helping mom and dad out at home. Thanks Santa!!
This is my favorite Santa picture. After the traditional picture Santa had a little toy discussion with the kids and then took one more picture of them while he gave them a big squeeze! It was the perfect way to get those real smiles out of those crazy kiddos!!!
Pictures With Santa:
No one likes waiting in line…especially excited kiddos! To enhance the enjoyment of Santa HQ’s photos-with- Santa experience and spend less time waiting in line, guest can now select the date and time of their photos session by making reservation online. The reservation system enables users to select and pre-pay for their photo package, and it gives them the opportunity to upgrade their package by making their family photo session days or even weeks in advance. The online reservation systems even has an opt-in text functionality to provide reminders about their Santa photo session reservation.
In the Holiday Spirit of Giving
Visitors to Santa HQ will also be able to enjoy the holiday spirit of giving through HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving Drive. The program encourages visitors to donate new, unwrapped toys for local children in need with the goal of collecting over 1,000 toys per center. In 2016, HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving program collected over 66,000 toys benefiting local organizations like Forgotten Angel Tree, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and Spark of Love Stuff a Bus.
Find a HGTV Santa HQ location near you and make your reservation today!
We had such a great time visiting Santa to kick off this holiday season! Traditions are so much fun to continue as the kids get older.
Tell me about your Santa traditions and what you are planning for this year.
This sounds like an awesome place to visit. Love the pictures of the kids, so cute but, you go out on Black Friday after dinner…LOL I still would be scared!! I like the Elfie Selfie, that's pretty cool to be able to be in your own holiday video!
Wow, this puts the Santa center at my local mall to shame! This definitely looks more like an experience than a visit. I know that my boys would love to go.
We usually head to the zoo for Santa. My son gets a lick out of it. Sadly last year they did the mall thing. I am hoping that they got rid of that type of thing this year as it was not the same.
I have never tried this even before but I am considering to bring some of my little cousins with their parents here. I'll just have to finalize our schedule and reservations.
Aw, this looks like such a fun event? I mean, who doesn't love Santa? 😉 I would love to take my nieces to a place like this. The holiday season sure is drawing near, huh!
I love the idea of a naughty or nice meter!
This sounds like an awesome place to visit. Love the pictures of the kids, so cute but, you go out on Black Friday after dinner…LOL I still would be scared!! I like the Elfie Selfie, that's pretty cool to be able to be in your own holiday video!
WOW! This is really cool! I wish it was closer and I take my daughters there. They would love the naughty or nice meter!
What a wonderful thing for families to do together! So many activities! I would love to go!
Wow, this puts the Santa center at my local mall to shame! This definitely looks more like an experience than a visit. I know that my boys would love to go.
We usually head to the zoo for Santa. My son gets a lick out of it. Sadly last year they did the mall thing. I am hoping that they got rid of that type of thing this year as it was not the same.
Kids love Santa! In every part of the world! We are looking foward meeting Santa soon. Maybe in a week or two!
I have never tried this even before but I am considering to bring some of my little cousins with their parents here. I'll just have to finalize our schedule and reservations.
Aw, this looks like such a fun event? I mean, who doesn't love Santa? 😉 I would love to take my nieces to a place like this. The holiday season sure is drawing near, huh!
Oh wow. This looks like such a great place to visit with Santa. How fun!