CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

Plenty of options for photos with Santa Claus

Nov 24, 2022 | 4:41 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Santa Claus is set to land at the Medicine Hat Mall on Friday and will be making daily visits until Christmas Eve.

But capturing your children’s magical moments will come at a cost. Santa photo packages are being offered for prices ranging from $35 to $45.

People were quick to share their thoughts on social media, calling the price gouging and saying it goes against the spirit of the season.

Image From Facebook/Medicine Hat and Area Roast and Toast

“To me it seems wrong, a Santa photo should be available for everyone. It used to be years ago you just made a donation to the food bank if you could,” wrote Torri Zimmerman.

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Ken Shupenia wrote “Santa is the physical image of the spirit of giving. Charging for pictures with Santa is the spirit of the greedy. Shame on you.”

CHAT News has reached out several times to mall administration but has not received a response.

A representative from Cherry Hill Programs, the company that provides the experience for the mall, says a package does not have to be purchased to visit Santa but that personal cameras are not allowed.

Image From Facebook/Medicine Hat and Area Roast and Toast

Online commenters also suggested other places and events that people can get photos with Santa for a smaller cost, by donation or for free.

Among them are the Olde Tyme Christmas Fair in Pioneer Village on Dec. 1, the Veiner Centre and Royal LePage’s Royal Toy Run both on Dec. 3 and Grooming By Jennifer on Dec. 10 and 11.

The man in red will be at the HALO Air Ambulance hangar on Sunday for a soldout Santa Day, thanks to STEP Energy.

“I think it’s a pretty big coup for us to be able to have Santa come out and be a part of this event for sure,” says HALO CEO Paul Carolan. “It’d be great for the kids to come out and not only see the helicopter, have some family time with a movie and some snacks and things like that and while doing that raising money for HALO which is incredible for us. And then like I said Santa, will be a great jolly old guy to be there and have a lot of fun.”

Find out more about Santa Day on HALO’s Facebook page.