We take pictures with Santa every year, but this year was our first time visiting a HGTV Santa HQ and it definitely won’t be our last time. This is a sponsored blog; while the views expressed here are genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Macerich to review this product.
As soon as you enter the Freehold Mall in NJ you’ll see signs for the HGTV Santa HQ. You can get pictures with Santa up until the 24th of December. Running short on time? Visit the Santa HQ website to book a reservation and skip the line!
BEAT THE LINE, MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW
Earlier today I was reading an article that we should tell our kids at the age of 10 that Santa isn’t real because they’re too old. I don’t know about you, but to me, 10 years old is still young and I hope my daughter is still full of belief and imagination.
Our kids grow up quickly, I’m not trying to rush the magical years! There’s no greater joy than seeing my daughter happy and she LIGHTS UP at the sight of Santa, nope, not rushing that feeling away anytime soon!
As she walked up to the naughty nice meter she was filled with quite a bit of fear to see where her name would end up.
Nothing but pure joy as she saw her name pop on the nice list!
After the naughty and nice meter we went to have fun with Santa’s Control Panel! If you download the Elf-Ray Vision app from the Santa HQ website you can unlock even more fun.
Not only did we get to have a picture with Santa, but we also enjoyed some fresh hot cocoa, cookies, and coloring fun with Mrs. Claus!
We even got to take a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, plus one of Santa’s Elves!
For our first visit to the HGTV Santa HQ we went to the Freehold Mall in New Jersey. It’s a really nice mall with tons of shopping options for parents and my daughter loved the train ride and of course Carousel ride! 
The partnership between HGTV and Macerich Shopping Centers not only bring the magic of Santa, but also create the ultimate holiday experience that engages children and everyone who is young at heart. Its loaded with interactive fun activities and state-of-the-art digital technology.
Don’t worry if you’re not in NJ; there are over 15 different locations at Macerich Shopping Centers in California, Arizona, Chicago,
Metro New York, and the Washington, D.C. corridor!
Santa HQ location features:
- Photo-op with Santa Claus
- Elfie Selfie: you can take a selfie and star in your own holiday video
- Elf-Ray Vision: When you download the app you 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: Find out which list your on this year!
- Light Show: We loved seeing the tree lights change and go with the music!
We also love that they support donations for those in need with HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving Drive. Through this program, you can donate new, unwrapped toys for local children!
My daughter had a magical time visiting the HGTV Santa HQ and we cannot wait to go again. Now she’s even more excited for Santa to come!
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