Whew. I’ve been to a lot of malls in the last month. Usually my goal this time of year is to avoid all shopping malls like the H1N1. I hate crowds and loud noises. I’m also not a fan of pushing, shoving, grabbing, kicking and biting — and doing all of that just to buy someone a gift tires me out something dreadful.
Of all the shopping malls on my Santa visit list, I was dreading Bridgeport Village the most. Going to Bridgeport Village always seems like such a huge undertaking. I have to drive down I-5, make sure to take just the right exit, and then drive around the sprawling Italian Villa layout in search of parking.
And let’s face it, there is just something douche-y about the place. Who builds an outdoor mall in Portland, Oregon anyway? At every other shop or so there are little bins of bright yellow loaner umbrellas that just scream, “We admit it. This was a bad idea.”
Much to my surprise, however, Bridgeport Village has far and away the best Santa experience. Hands down and without a doubt.
First of all, Bridgeport Village Santa lives in a house in the middle of Center Court. Right next to Santa’s house is a large gazebo where various artists perform holiday tunes for your enjoyment. Next to the gazebo is a caramel corn vendor and behind Santa’s house is an old timey candy shop.
Everything in Center Court is lavishly decorated with trees, garlands, boughs, twinkly lights, ornaments, ribbons and these nifty teddy bear topiaries.
Bridgeport Village is not messing around. Even better, they manage to post Santa’s hours and prices on their website. Not many shopping malls do that.
Santa was very busy with visitors and I was a little bit concerned that I would not be able to get a decent photo of him. It’s very hard to see into Santa’s house and it seemed kind of creepy to take photos of Santa and the little ones through the windows of his house.
I took the photos anyway, but I didn’t feel great about it.
I was milling around outside when Santa came out of his house for a little fresh air. I mustered up the courage to go over and talk to him. Not all Santas like being approached on their downtime and I didn’t want to piss Santa off so close to the Big Day.
I greeted Santa and asked if I could take his picture. Santa smiled and said, “I don’t know, can you?”
Hmmmm. This Santa is a bit of smart ass. I like that.
I explained to Santa that I’ve been blogging about the various local Portland shopping mall Santas and that a lot of places frown upon taking photos without a little money up front first. Santa laughed and gave me a little side-hug. We chatted for a bit and then Santa graciously posed for a photo in front of his house.
“Make sure to tell your readers that Bridgeport Village has the best Santa,” Santa kidded as he hugged me again and wished me a Merry Christmas.
And I can tell you in all honesty that Bridgeport Village really does have the best Santa. He’s warm and generous and cheerful but he doesn’t take himself too seriously. I loved that about him. Some Santas get a little too caught up in the celebrity of it all, in being a Big Deal. Nothing is more annoying than someone who thinks they are a Big Deal.
So there you have it. I’m done with my Behind the Beard series. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. I would have liked to make it out to Mall 205 and Jantzen Beach Center – but there is this little matter of my day job. Maybe next year.
I wish I had some words of wisdom to close with, but I don’t. Instead – I’ll wrap this up with my favorite Santa photo this year. It’s my adorable little nephew and his first visit with Santa.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and wish you nothing but the best for 2010.
(Special hat tip to Barry Johnson for the Behind the Beard headline. Thanks Barry!)
Santa Out!
{ 7 comments }
I loved this series!
What a heartwarming holiday ending to a great series of posts!
He does look like the best santa, though in the last picture, it looks like he’s getting ready to squeeze that baby. Or maybe that’s just a really heavy baby.
I agree with Lilly. Heartwarming series.
i also loved this series, nice work!
Thanks for your comments and overcoming your obvious fear of “Oregon Sunshine” to visit Bridgeport Village. We think our Santa is the best too!
We love outdoor shopping centers too! If you had visited The Streets of Tanasbourne, you could have taken as many photos with Santa free of charge…and we have plenty of parking:).
its great to have this kind of activity for the kids at Christmas. Really makes their day. As a parent its so good to see your child enjoying the experience of meeting Father Chiristmas. Cant wait to do it all again next year!
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