Year after year we do it to our kids, heck, our parents did it to us. Now it’s that time of year again…time for photos with Santa. Last year my daughter (then 8 months old) was traumatized by sitting on Santa’s knee. My son (then two years old) looked a little unsure himself. But even with the wary smile and full out tears, I love the photo I got! I can’t wait to see what there reaction to the big guy in red will be this year. I’ve put together a list of some of Ottawa’s major malls, and places to get your photos done with Santa.

Bayshore

Starting on November 13, Santa will be greeting kids.

Monday-Saturday 9:00am-9:00pm

Sunday 10:00am-6pm

From  10:00am-11:00am on November 27 the line will be closed for a special Sensory Santa visit from QuickStart Autism.

Carlingwood

So Carlingwood Mall is where I’ve been with my kids the last two years. The things that I’ve loved it about: relatively short lines (I do try to go on a weekday however), and the kids all leave with a toy from Santa.

This year there is the Polar Express, a small train offering rides around the mall. It costs $3 a trip, and my kids got a kick out of it although my knees were actually crammed into the caboose. The things we do for our kids.

Starting November 14. From Nov 14-30 Mon-Friday 11:00-3:00 pm and 5:00-8:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am-7:00 pm ; Sunday 10:30 am- 5:00 pm

December 1-23 : Mon-Fri 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and 5:00-8:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am-8:00 pm ; Sunday 10:30 am-5:00 pm

Hazeldean Mall

At Hazeldean it will cost you $20 for four poses on a USB.

Monday-Friday 11:00am-1:00pm, and 5:00pm-7:00pm

Saturday – 11:00am-1:00pm and 3:00pm-5:00pm

Sunday – 1:00pm-4:00pm

Also on December 11th from 10:00am to 11:00am, Santa visits are reserved for families of children with autism and other special needs.  The mall will provide a more controlled and welcoming environment to visit Santa.

Rideau Centre

Here’s something I haven’t heard of before. At the Rideau Centre you can book ahead for your Santa photo and skip the line up.

Friday 11:00 am-2:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am-1:00 pm and 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

All proceeds go to the Snowsuit Fund http://www.snowsuitfund.com

book online at http://www.cfshops.com/rideau-centre

Place D’Orleans

I have it on very good authority from a few friends that the Santa at Place D’Orleans is the real Kris Kringle. Apparently he has been the Santa at this location for more than 30 years and he’s a gem. So provided the same Santa is back again for 2016, he’s a winner.

Digital photos here will cost you $15, and a printed photo is included

November:

Monday-Friday – 12:00pm-3:00pm, and 5:00pm-8:00pm

Saturday – 9:30am-12:30pm, and 1:30pm-4:30pm

Sunday 10:00am-1:00pm, and 2:00pm-5:00pm

December

Monday-Friday – 10:00am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-8:00pm

Saturday – 9:30am-1:00pm, 2:00pm-5:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm

Sunday – 10:00am-1:00pm, and 2:00pm-5:00pm

St.Laurent

Monday-Wednesday 11:00am-6:00pm

Thursday-Friday 11:00am-8:00pm

Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm

Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm

Good luck with your photos! I usually have to jump into the photo myself to stop the tears from coming.