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Santa HQ – A Family Experience

December 6, 2018 by Larisha Campbell Leave a Comment

Santa HQ is a fun and exciting immersive experience for the whole family to visit Santa Claus. Located at 15 malls throughout the US. Learn more by reading our experience.

Disclosure:  This Santa HQ post is sponsored by HGTV. Thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

A few years ago, I didn’t even know if we were going to do Santa. Each year, I still question it in the back of my mind. I feel wrong to lie to them. However, the moments and memories that we’ve created around Santa have been completely worth it.  Both girls eyes light up, their little voices glee with happiness, and their laughter brings everyone so much joy. I know in those moments that it’s so worth it.

For the last 4 years, we have been going to Santa HQ over at our local mall. The mall, located in Deptford, NJ, teamed up with HGTV to bring locals “Santa HQ“. It’s a super fun and exciting holiday experience that the whole family will enjoy in addition to the traditional visit with Santa Claus. *Bonus: Santa in Deptford has a real beard 😉

What is Santa HQ?

As soon as you walk into Santa HQ you are immersed in all things Christmas holidays. You have to absorb everything and be careful not to miss anything, but HGTV has worked really hard to pack in as much of the holiday spirit as they can in this experience. The first thing that happens is you get checked in (it’s better to have reservations). Then you have four stations:

  • Naughty or Nice Meter
  • Santa’s Workshop
  • Santa’s Observatory
  • Finally, Santa’s Sleigh (this is where the big guy is sitting)

Honestly, it’s just such a fun and unique way to enjoy Santa.  I know growing up as a kid, I loved going to see Santa. However, I never wanted to stand in the mall lines.  The Santa HQ experience not only is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit, but it’s also great for breaking up the line so parents aren’t waiting for an exorbitant amount of time. The elves (staff) and Santa are amazing with the kids and it’s truly just so great.

Can I just walk in to Santa HQ or are reservations a must?

You can absolutely just walk in to Santa HQ. However, reservations to Santa HQ are preferred. Trust me, you want a reservation. Especially if the only time you can go is on a weekend, it can get quite crowded.  After all, Santa HQ is completely free.  You only pay if you want to purchase pictures.  So, it can fill up pretty quickly. Reservations are easily made at Santa HQ.

Also, you can even pre-pay for your photo package. Santa HQ is currently at 15 shopping locations in California, New Jersey, Chicago, NYC, DC, and more. See if there’s a location near here by visiting the Santa HQ site.

The Santa HQ Experience 

After you check in with the concierge, you’ll head to meet your first elf. You’ll stand on the Naughty or Nice O’Meter and see if you’ve been naughty or nice (hint: it’s always nice!). The kids name will pop up onto the top of the list that shows they’ve been nice!

Next, they are invited to sit down at a holiday photo set-up at “The North Pole”. The elf taking the pictures stages your family to take some pretty adorably amazing photos at the North Pole before they head off to their next adventure.

Next, families are invited to visit Santa’s workshop. This year, each kid gets to make their own Elf ID card. They put their face inside a little oval and then you have the option to mail yourself the ID Card right from Santa’s workshop.  It’s fun to do this because of the end of the experience they get a set of Elf ID cards in the activity workbook from Santa HQ. Our girls loved having their own to go along with the “real ones” as they called them.  There’s also a Magic Mirror that they can play with.

Last year, they did an Elfie Selfie movie station where you get a shot at being your own Elf Star! So if you went last year, definitely know that they changed things up this year.

Next, families head for a fun adventure to the Elf-Ray Vision Station where children use tablets to project elves working, Santa’s sleigh and more.

Finally, it’s time to see the big jolly guy and families end the experience with the traditional Santa Claus photo-op.

Here’s some photos from last year.  We love that it’s the same Santa Claus, so they can have a similar memory!

Holiday Giving with Santa HQ 

Also, when heading over to Santa HQ consider bringing a toy to donate.  Visitors at Santa HQ, in conjunction with HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving Drive, are encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped toy. Toys go to benefit local organizations like Toys for Tots, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Forgotten Angel Tree and more. However, this is not required.

Check Out Even More By Watching the Video Below:

Filed Under: Home, Travel Tagged With: christmas, holidays, santa

Santa HQ at Deptford Mall in Deptford, NJ

December 10, 2015 by Larisha Campbell Leave a Comment

santa hq deptford nj

A have a confession.  Before this year, I didn’t know if we were going to “do Santa”.  It’s something, even as I type this, I go back and forth on in my head, but it’s something that Andrew has really wanted to do and after seeing the magical nature of Santa come to life in our three year old this year, I couldn’t say no.  We were watching some Christmas shows a week before I knew we were going to go see Santa HQ at the Deptford Mall in Deptford, NJ.  I wanted her to understand more about Santa since she was just newly three and this is her first year really “getting it”.

santahq hgtv deptford

When we went there were a ton of super cute moments throughout the entire visit.  We came in on the top floor and she squealed with excitement as she saw “Christmas Time mama”, “Christmas Time”.  She had no idea that we would be seeing Santa.  We rode the elevator down so that she could see the whole village and it was such a magical experience for her.  Since we arrived before 10am, we actually got to watch as Santa came in and he even came over and greeted all of the kids before going to sit down.

hgtv santahq deptford nj

The Elves were amazingly friendly and helpful at each station.  The stations included:

  • Naughty and Nice List that adds your child’s name to the nice list
  • Photo taken at “The North Pole”
  • Elfie Selfie movie station
    • Takes your photo and then puts it into a Elf dancing video.  Check ours out here.
  • Elf-ray Vision station that allows children to look into a tablet and see the elves working, Santa’s sleigh and more.

santahq deptford mall nj

And then there’s Santa!  With a REAL beard.  It was pretty awesome.  I was so excited that both girls sat on Santa’s lap and neither cried.  It was a winning and successful experience.  And Skibbles has asked to go back about 519 times since we left.

santa claus deptford mall nj

The entire production is run courtesy of HGTV and on-line reservations can be set up ahead of time.  (We recommend this so you aren’t waiting in line).  It’s free to do the walk through and each of the stations, but any photos of Santa are taken only by the production company and paid for at checkout.   ((PSSTTT — you can bring your pet too!)).  They’re there everyday through Christmas Eve!  Have a blast

Filed Under: Home, Kid Friendly Outings, Travel Tagged With: christmas, nj, santa


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