West Seattle holidays: Santa Claus arrives for photo season

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Here’s the latest on where to see, and get photos with, Santa Claus in West Seattle …

WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Santa arrived today at Westwood, in the decorated storefront on the breezeway east of Bed Bath and Beyond. Some changes this year, as noted here previously, following the shopping center’s ownership change: Santa is now at Westwood every day, instead of only on weekends – the schedule is here, and he’s there 10 am-8 pm Mondays-Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm Sundays, up till Christmas Eve (when he has to leave at 5 pm). The photographers are now from Arthur and Associates, a Seattle company whose roots trace all the way back to the famous Frederick and Nelson Santa photos downtown. Though the photos are no longer provided in exchange for a food-bank donation, there are two Salvation Army Giving Trees at Santa’s spot in Westwood, brimming with cards:

There’s also a coloring contest for kids – right there by the giving trees, in keeping with the penguin motif accompanying Santa.

SANTA AT CAPERS: As also previously reported here, the new Santa photographers at Westwood asked the center’s longtime Santa to work with them, but he decided not to (as explained here). We’re still getting questions about where to find him in West Seattle this holiday season – and today there’s new news: Lisa Myers at CAPERS in The Junction confirms he’ll be spending some time in her shop. Unless a professional photographer would like to donate her/his time (contact Lisa!), it’ll be do-it-yourself photos – Santa will be there, they’ll collect food-bank donations (preferably cash/checks, since as Lisa points out, food banks can buy more with wholesale/discount rates), and you can take your own photo(s). He’ll be there starting next Saturday and Sunday (December 3-4) and Fridays-Sundays after that. We’ll add the hours here shortly. And as mentioned in this story, he’ll be at Holy Rosary 9 am-noon on December 10th.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS SANTA IN THE JUNCTION: December 4, 11, and 18, the Santa who’s been making memories courtesy of Hometown Holidays in The Junction will be back, at City Mouse Studio and Store – professional photographs those first two Sundays, 11 am-3 pm, with a suggested donation of at least $15 going to West Seattle charities, and bring-your-own-camera photos on Dec. 18th, same hours (donations also suggested).

WestSide45 November 25, 2011 (6:31 pm)

Santa = North Pole
Penguin = south of the equator
Yet, the writing on the wall and the stuffed penguin infer an association between the two. Hmm . . .

Huindekmi November 25, 2011 (7:11 pm)

So, Santa can have magical flying reindeer, but not magical northern hemisphere dwelling penguins?

Mike November 25, 2011 (8:54 pm)

Great Santa! Got pix this morning, along with the Dickens carolers, who are magnificent!

Argiles November 25, 2011 (9:00 pm)

What are they charging for pictures this year?

Alki Resident November 25, 2011 (9:11 pm)

I think it’s $15.00.

WSB November 25, 2011 (9:24 pm)

That is the lowest price, according to what Westwood management told us for one of our previous stories. If you follow the link to the schedule, there’s also pricing info on the photography company’s santaphotos.com site – TR

thee November 26, 2011 (9:37 am)

there’s a local west seattle santa and mrs. claus available should be in the junction for pictures at the farmer’s market sunday. he’s on facebook at west seattle santa.

WSB November 26, 2011 (9:48 am)

the ex-Westwood guy is a West Seattleite fwiw. meantime, your WS Santa needs to get some scheduling info and pix up on that FB page :) haven’t heard anything from the Farmers’ Market yet about a Santa or Mrs. Claus appearance but will be happy to add it to the Holidays page etc. … TR

Matt November 27, 2011 (6:58 pm)

There is a free Santa Claus to get your pictures taken with on Wednesday December 7th from 6:30 pm to 10 pm.There will be a tree lighting, holiday arts, crafts, goodies, and a places to donate toys for children in need. This free event takes place at the Mars Hill Church of West Seattle. @ 7551 35th ave Sw Seattle Wa

Donna Ryan November 27, 2011 (9:16 pm)

Please note – Santa will be at City Mouse on Sundays not Saturdays :)

WSB November 27, 2011 (9:24 pm)

fixing, thanks.

bV December 4, 2011 (2:33 pm)

Just got back from the Westwood Village Santa. He is really good. Very sweet with my kids. Prepare to be patient, there is only one person working the line, other than the man himself. His helper is the photographer, order taker and cashier. Took us over an hour with only four families ahead of us.

Liz December 11, 2011 (8:44 am)

Very disappointed in the whole set-up at Westwood Village this year. They made a huge mistake by making this change to overpriced photos, an unfriendly helper and bad photography. We won’t be back next year.

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