When did Santa photos become so expensive every year?

[DodgerGirl]

When I was a little girl I remember my parents taking me to have my photo with Santa and it used to cost $1,00 but every year I've noticed that the price of Santa photos have gotten pricier and pricier and I can't figure that out? Because when I would go to the mall I would see the prices for Santa photos and if you want your child's photo with Santa the going price is anywhere from $50 to $60 at malls today. What is so special about a Santa photo with your child that makes it worth $60? Do families use these photos as family heirlooms or is it meant to be a keepsake? It used to be that stores would offer special holiday activities that would offer free Santa photos for the kids and Kmart used to offer Breakfast With Santa in their restaurants where kids could get a Santa photo in a character breakfast-like format but now I think the reason why malls are doing this is to make more money. But if the malls could lower the prices of Santa photos they would get more people with kids to get Santa photos at a good price

 

[nw6675]

You are up early

 

[AprilsZoo]

Idk how old you are, but I remember having to scrimp to be able to afford an extra picture of Santa with my older two boys in the early 1990s so that we’d have one to give to the grandparents, and one to keep for ourselves. Each picture was about $7-8. Then around the mid 90s, they wanted you to buy a “package” of like an 8x10 or 5x7 and wallets, and a keychain, or locket or something… each package started at like $25-30.

We had 4 boys. That added up really fast! Some of the Santa’s didn’t want you to take your own pictures… it was buy theirs or have no picture. We found out which would let you take your own, and DH or I would use our own camera. But they didn’t always turn out very good and in the days before digital, we wouldn’t know until after Christmas when the whole roll of film had been used and developed.

I mean, sure, I could pile all the kids into a single professional photo— and I did— but I wanted each child to have their own photo time with Santa, you know? And why should any of the kids have to have their only picture be with their (possibly) screaming brother? I still wanted a picture of the crying child with Santa, because it’s a record what they were doing that year. We did usually spring for one group photo taken by the mall photographer, and tried to get the smallest package we could. And then we also took our own individual pictures, at least three of each child so that hopefully at least one came out good.

It was still more than $1 by the time you add up the film and the cost to get them developed. Thinking back now, maybe the professional photos weren’t such a bad deal after all.

I do remember when they were a little older, like 2001-2003ish, we started going to this community event that was to kick off the season, and collect canned goods for the food bank— they had photos for I think $2 or $3 each if you brought a non-perishable item for the food drive. That was fun because they had some little crafts, and games and stuff instead of just standing in line being bored.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

We avoid the mall Santas because they're usually more expensive than a smaller place. This year we lucked out and went to a local light show, where Santa was meeting kids for free. The only catch was that the photos were taken by one of Santa's helpers with your phone. No, not professional but the pic turned out well and my Godson was happy to have met the Big Guy.

There are plenty of smaller places that do professional portraits for way less than the mall. I'd suggest maybe checking out the local paper to see what's in the area.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Idk how old you are, but I remember having to scrimp to be able to afford an extra picture of Santa with my older two boys in the early 1990s so that we’d have one to give to the grandparents, and one to keep for ourselves. Each picture was about $7-8. Then around the mid 90s, they wanted you to buy a “package” of like an 8x10 or 5x7 and wallets, and a keychain, or locket or something… each package started at like $25-30.

We had 4 boys. That added up really fast! Some of the Santa’s didn’t want you to take your own pictures… it was buy theirs or have no picture. We found out which would let you take your own, and DH or I would use our own camera. But they didn’t always turn out very good and in the days before digital, we wouldn’t know until after Christmas when the whole roll of film had been used and developed.

I mean, sure, I could pile all the kids into a single professional photo— and I did— but I wanted each child to have their own photo time with Santa, you know? And why should any of the kids have to have their only picture be with their (possibly) screaming brother? I still wanted a picture of the crying child with Santa, because it’s a record what they were doing that year. We did usually spring for one group photo taken by the mall photographer, and tried to get the smallest package we could. And then we also took our own individual pictures, at least three of each child so that hopefully at least one came out good.

It was still more than $1 by the time you add up the film and the cost to get them developed. Thinking back now, maybe the professional photos weren’t such a bad deal after all.

I do remember when they were a little older, like 2001-2003ish, we started going to this community event that was to kick off the season, and collect canned goods for the food bank— they had photos for I think $2 or $3 each if you brought a non-perishable item for the food drive. That was fun because they had some little crafts, and games and stuff instead of just standing in line being bored.

I don't mind paying a little extra if the proceeds go to a charity. My sister and her husband volunteer with a "your dog with Santa" place that benefits the local shelter.

When my kids were little, it was a free Santa or no Santa. Luckily, DH worked at companies that typically had a kids' holiday event that included a Santa. Good thing, too, because that screaming brother? That was my older son--every.single.time!

 

[sam_gordon]

When I was a little girl I remember my parents taking me to have my photo with Santa and it used to cost $1,00 but every year I've noticed that the price of Santa photos have gotten pricier and pricier and I can't figure that out? Because when I would go to the mall I would see the prices for Santa photos and if you want your child's photo with Santa the going price is anywhere from $50 to $60 at malls today. What is so special about a Santa photo with your child that makes it worth $60? Do families use these photos as family heirlooms or is it meant to be a keepsake? It used to be that stores would offer special holiday activities that would offer free Santa photos for the kids and Kmart used to offer Breakfast With Santa in their restaurants where kids could get a Santa photo in a character breakfast-like format but now I think the reason why malls are doing this is to make more money. But if the malls could lower the prices of Santa photos they would get more people with kids to get Santa photos at a good price

This is simple... money. ANY business will/should charge however much the market will bear. If people are willing to pay $50-60, that's what they're going to charge. Why wouldn't they? Businesses don't do things (despite what they claim) out of the "goodness of their heart" or to "help our customers". They're do things to make money.

Now, they also have to factor in what their costs are. The personnel, the costumes, the sets, the photography, etc. If it costs them say $10/person, charging only $1/person means they lose money on the deal. That MIGHT be ok, *IF* it gets people in the store buying other things. But if people just show up for the pictures and the store doesn't get money somehow, what's the incentive.

Generally any question that's basically "why does a business do... ", the answer is "money".

 

[disneychrista]

I don’t know when Mall Santa photos were ever only $1. I never purchased the photos so can’t say how much they cost but I know I couldn’t afford to spend that much. The mall I would go to when my daughters were young eventually even charged you to use your own camera. I am surprised they didn’t charge for the Santa visit too.

 

[mjkacmom]

Idk how old you are, but I remember having to scrimp to be able to afford an extra picture of Santa with my older two boys in the early 1990s so that we’d have one to give to the grandparents, and one to keep for ourselves. Each picture was about $7-8. Then around the mid 90s, they wanted you to buy a “package” of like an 8x10 or 5x7 and wallets, and a keychain, or locket or something… each package started at like $25-30.

We had 4 boys. That added up really fast! Some of the Santa’s didn’t want you to take your own pictures… it was buy theirs or have no picture. We found out which would let you take your own, and DH or I would use our own camera. But they didn’t always turn out very good and in the days before digital, we wouldn’t know until after Christmas when the whole roll of film had been used and developed.

I mean, sure, I could pile all the kids into a single professional photo— and I did— but I wanted each child to have their own photo time with Santa, you know? And why should any of the kids have to have their only picture be with their (possibly) screaming brother? I still wanted a picture of the crying child with Santa, because it’s a record what they were doing that year. We did usually spring for one group photo taken by the mall photographer, and tried to get the smallest package we could. And then we also took our own individual pictures, at least three of each child so that hopefully at least one came out good.

It was still more than $1 by the time you add up the film and the cost to get them developed. Thinking back now, maybe the professional photos weren’t such a bad deal after all.

I do remember when they were a little older, like 2001-2003ish, we started going to this community event that was to kick off the season, and collect canned goods for the food bank— they had photos for I think $2 or $3 each if you brought a non-perishable item for the food drive. That was fun because they had some little crafts, and games and stuff instead of just standing in line being bored.

Lol I have 5 and it never occurred to me to have 5 separate photos! And the last one ever taken just had smiling children, so I was done, I preferred at least 1 crier. But never $1, or even close, and the lines started an hour before Santa even got there, no need to lower prices (and I live in the shopping mall capital of the US).

 

[luvnwdwgal]

There are so many other options to get Santa photos around here and they are free if you don’t mind taking it yourself.

 

[EACarlson]

Lol I have 5 and it never occurred to me to have 5 separate photos! And the last one ever taken just had smiling children, so I was done, I preferred at least 1 crier. But never $1, or even close, and the lines started an hour before Santa even got there, no need to lower prices (and I live in the shopping mall capital of the US).

I didn't know you were in Minneapolis.

I recall it being $5-10 for a picture at Dayton's when they used the Santa visits to drive traffic in the late 80's and early 90's. I think we did one with my older son in 2014 or so and said never again when it was $30

 

[clh2]

We went to a fabulous breakfast with Santa yesterday, so no extra charge for photos with Santa. For those who wanted family pictures with Santa, other parents took those. Very laid back, and surprisingly, only about 10 families where there when we were there.

i laughed really hard when our 4 year old grandson told Santa: I don’t need a picture with you, I have one from last year. Remember? It was from my parent’s wedding.

Yes, we had to explain that last year’s breakfast with Santa was at the same hotel as our daughter’s wedding was at.

No new pictures…but some fun memories!

 

[john7994]

Or, you don’t get a mall Santa photo every year (or at all) - it’s not really a basic necessity - if money is tight.

 

[starlite_]

Well, 40 years ago lots of things were alot cheaper than today.

 

[mjkacmom]

I didn't know you were in Minneapolis.

I recall it being $5-10 for a picture at Dayton's when they used the Santa visits to drive traffic in the late 80's and early 90's. I think we did one with my older son in 2014 or so and said never again when it was $30

NJ with the most malls per square mile Including the second largest mall in the US.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Do people still take their kids to the mall Santa? That's still a thing?

 

[Scootin'By]

C'est la vie. Everything is more expensive now.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We always took our kids to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. We usually popped in early to get a timed “Bass Pass” so we didn’t have to wait forever in line. It comes with a free 4x6 photo, usually set in a photo card and they were always fine with us snapping some pics on our own.

 

[GreatLakes]

We don't really do mall santaswith our son. Around here we generally do breakfasts with Santa, local charity events, or some of the small business fundraisers. Some are very cheap and others are more expensive but it goes to a good cause or comes with a meal. If you look around instead of just showing up at the mall you might be surprised what you can find

 

[Smugpugmug]

Do people still take their kids to the mall Santa? That's still a thing?

They do. I was at a mall yesterday and the line to meet Santa was insane. You also had to make a reservation in advance so even with a reservation the line was super long.

 

[mjkacmom]

We don't really do mall santaswith our son. Around here we generally do breakfasts with Santa, local charity events, or some of the small business fundraisers. Some are very cheap and others are more expensive but it goes to a good cause or comes with a meal. If you look around instead of just showing up at the mall you might be surprised what you can find

We have a bunch of pancake breakfasts with Santa here. However, I took my kids to the same mall/Santa every year. Unfortunately he passed a few years ago, he was so sweet and looked authentic (unlike those hired for charity organizations).