For the sake of full disclosure I have to tell you that the Lloyd Center mall is my happy place. It feels crazy to even type those words, but it’s true. Lloyd Center is like some vortex of positive energy. Whenever I feel like my life needs some sorting out – I go to the Lloyd Center and bask in the life-affirming glow of shopping mall lighting.
My Zen-finding routine goes a little something like this; lose myself in a movie for a couple hours, browse the stacks at Barnes and Noble, think everything over at the food court with a nice tall Orange Julius, and then buy myself something nice at Meier & Frank (I know it’s Macy’s now but it will always be Meier & Frank to me.) This is generally an all day affair that leaves me feeling like I can face the world again.
I think I might have just revealed a little too much about myself.
Considering the aforementioned transcendental nature of the Lloyd Center mall, it should come as no surprise that the Lloyd Center Santa also radiates a feeling of calm and well-being. It’s like being in the presence of a Saint, which makes total sense because he is, after all, Saint Nicholas.
The Lloyd Center Santaland is nestled away at the far-end of the mall by Nordstrom. It’s a little on the small side but all of the essential elements are there. Santa sits on a golden throne in a field of snowy white surrounded by tall trees and enormous gifts.
(You might want to explain to the kiddies that the gifts in Santaland are for display purposes only and may not accurately represent the size of gifts Santa intends to leave them on Christmas morning. Christmas is often about managing expectations…)
When there is a lull in kid traffic, Lloyd Center Santa sits peacefully in a somewhat meditative state as he awaits his next visitor. He also takes a sip of water every now and then because it’s important to stay hydrated when spending all day in a climate controlled environment.
Some shopping mall Santas are of the “just take the picture already” variety, but not this Santa. When this Santa asks what you want for Christmas, it’s like a little mini-therapy session. I watched in amazement while Santa listened attentively to this little girl as she poured out all of her secret hopes and dreams. He held her hand and looked her right in the eye and nodded along with everything she said. It was magic. The whole experience gave me goose bumps.
I tried to take photos from a safe (non-stalkerish) distance, but the urge to get a closer (non-blurry) look got the better of me. When I stepped out from behind a large display of poinsettias, camera in hand, I was spotted by a couple of photo elves dressed in black polo shirts. The photo elves informed me that I am not allowed to take photos of their Santa because he is under copyright. I resisted the temptation to argue the legitimacy of their claims.
Sigh… Give some people a little power, and it goes straight to their heads. At any rate, if you are looking for a more spiritual Santa experience – Lloyd Center is the place to go.
Namaste!
Coming up next – Washington Square Santa
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Now all I can think about is getting a good photo of a department store Santa, and skirting the copyright laws!
That is a pretty fantastic stance. Meditative!
Lloyd Center always carries great Christmas memories for me as a kid. I even remember how it was before they covered the whole thing. My mom would take my brothers and myself Christmas shopping, and if we were good we could see Santa and get a caramel apple at the corner candy store that had the giant copper vat full of sugar goodness in the window that gave us a reason to behave. Thank you for bringing back the memories!
We went to see the Santa at Lloyd Center today. I was NOT impressed! We waited 45 minutes (15 of those were his lunch) and he was not in a very good mood. We were rushed through and he didn’t even talk to my kids.
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