Experiencing Santa in a Whole New Way at HGTV’S Santa HQ

I received product/compensation from Santa HQ in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.

One tradition that I am still holding onto with my kids is the annual trip to see Santa Claus. Just like how our world has evolved with technology so has Santa Claus. Yes seeing Santa Claus is now a whole experience filled with tech fun!

HGTV and Macerich Shopping Centers have teamed-up again to bring “Santa HQ” to shopping centers across the nation. Not only do kids get to experience a traditional photo-op with Santa but interactive experiences throughout the holiday extravaganza.

Each of the 15 Macerich Shipping Centers located in California, Arizona, Chicago, Metro New York and Washington D.C., have a whole array of holiday experiences to check out.

Some fun you can experience at Santa HQ:

Traditional photo-op with Santa Claus

The Magic Mirror: Guests can take a selfie and become one of Santa’s elves and even try on different outfits. When down you can email the photos to yourself!

Elf-ID: Guests can create their very own personalized ELF-ID and then email it to themselves.

Elf-Ray Vision: Guests can explore Santa’s Observatory through the use of a smartphone and an app you download. There are spots that when you look at them through the app will come to life! (Don’t forget to look up!)

Naughty or Nice Meters: Guests can stand next to an interactive board to find out which list of Santa’s they have made. My kids loved seeing their names on the list!

Light Show: More than 10,000 individual holidays lights synchronized to the tune of “Carol of the Bells” to create an illuminated orchestra.

My family visited the Fashion Outlets of Chicago Santa HQ and it was a hit. From our first impression to all the tech packed inside, it made visiting Santa that much cooler. My 7-year-old daughter was especially amazed at the lights and Santa and the tech appealed to my boys who are 10 and 11 years old and thought they were too old to see Santa!

Want to spend less time waiting in line for Santa?

Okay so I admit I wouldn’t have minded waiting for Santa because of all the fun we had inside, guests can select the date and time of their photos session by making a reservation online at www.santa-hq.com/reservations. The reservation system allows guests to prepay for their package as well. There is even 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 2017, 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.

Check out a Santa HQ near you!

For more information about Santa HQ and a list of locations visit https://santa-hq.com.

If you are local to Chicagoland, make sure you head to the Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont! Make a day of Santa, shopping for deals and food at their new food court!