Greedy Santa!!!

I made this according album for my grandparents. This is braden's side. The other side is Ashlyn's.

Today I took the kids to the mall for portraits and to see Santa. Things started out wonderfully. The kids took amazing pictures. I'm very happy with them and since I only took in cash, I'm very happy that I didn't go overboard with my ordering. After the portraits we went down to see Santa. He was on a break so we trotted over to the food court for some cokes to pass the time. All was well. When we finished our drinks we went back over to Santa and took our place in line. All was still well!!

When we reached the front of the line, an elf handed me the price list. The cheapest package was $24.99. That was for 8 wallets. Eight wallets for $25 is just kind-of nuts. I usually buy a 5x7 every year and then take a few pictures myself. To get a package with a 5x7 it was $39.99. :shock: :shock:

I dug into my pocket to how much money I had. After the tights I bought before the portraits, the cost of the portraits, and the cokes I only had $21 left. I just said "I didn't bring enough money in. I'll just snap a pic with my camera." Then I started to walk by her. She stepped in front of me and said rather sternly "No. We can't let you take a picture unless you first buy one of ours." I was floored. I could not believe that they would not let me take a picture with my camera. I was pretty frustrated. If the packages were cheaper then I would have bought one but they started out so high. There was no way my kids who were already half way to Santa at this point would have walked away without a fight while I ran to the car to get my debit card.
So I had to accept the fact that I would have no pictures of the kids with Santa. Then my frustration went to a new level when the elf told me I could not accompany my children unless I left my rather expensive camera on a table out of my sight. By now my kids were beginning to get frustated. So I told them to go. They ran over to Santa while I looked over a stranger's shoulder so far away that I could not even hear what they were saying. :x :x :x :x :x :x

I can remember a time not so long ago that we were lucky to have $25 left after the bills and necessities. I know that we are not the only ones that have had times like that. It's just so greedy and spirit crushing. The day was totally ruined. Santa pictures are wonderful tradition and the whole thing left a horrible taste in my mouth.

I was so upset. I'm mad at my mall. I'm mad at the little elf who stood in front of me. I'm mad that she has a boss who instructed her to enforce such spirit crushing rules. I'm mad that some are so greedy that the would be willing to exclude parents/grandparents that may not have the extra $25 to spare. I'm even a little ticked at the companies that sponsored our mall's Santa. My Christmas spirit is crushed! I feel like I'm living in a scene from the Charlie Brown Christmas Show.

Next year we will be looking for a new place to see Santa.