Santa

Wednesday night we decided we would take Ella to see Santa Claus (Kerstman in dutch). We were a little unsure what the experience would be like. Our first year here we didn't have Ella and last year we were home, so this was our first attempt at seeing Santa in Holland.

We both kept wondering if it would be just like at home. Maybe we would see a lovely village-like setting in the middle of the shopping center, all decorated with poinsettias, reindeer, or a sleigh. Would you have to stand in a line waiting your turn to sit on Santa's lap? Would they take your picture, our would we be allowed to take one ourselves?

Doug got home from work earlier than usual so we could go before dinner. I made sure Ella ate a little something so that being hungry wouldn't make her cranky (we were very unsure how she would act toward the man in the beard, but she was very happy about going). 

When we got to the shopping center (which is set up very much like the mall at home) we walked around trying to find where Santa would be sitting. In our heads we pictured just how you would see Santa at home. After doing an entire loop of the mall, there was no village set up with Santa sitting in a big chair. No line of children and their parents waiting their turn to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. And no elves handing out candy canes. At least the mall had some decorations.

"Where's Santa??"

"Is this for me...?"

 We began to doubt that we had the wrong date and time, but there were flyers hanging up that proved we were correct. Finally I decided to ask a store employee. She was very helpful and said the last time she saw him he was "walking past here and heading that direction", as she pointed to the left.

Ummmm...heading that direction (what does that mean)?? So off we went in search of Santa AGAIN!

We soon learned that here, Santa does not have a special place all set up just for you to go and visit him. He simply walks around the mall, kids the young at heart go up to him and say Hi, you get a small sugary treat and then you're on your way!

The sugary treat.....which Ella didn't get to eat because she dropped it on the ground moments later. 

Ella had no interest in saying "hello" and cried when I took her close to Santa. (guess it was a good thing it wasn't set up like home because there was no way she would sit on his lap) The Santa was very nice though and knew we wanted a picture so he suggested that her and I could stand and face Doug like we were having our picture taken and he would sneak up behind us allowing him to be in the picture too. What a great idea, until Ella turned and saw him....then it was "dada dada dada" as Doug tried to snap one picture of our experience meeting Santa in Holland.

There's always next year......maybe even in America!