4-Year-Old Girl Denied Santa Visit For Not Buying Photo
A mall in Massachusetts issued an apology after a 4-year-old girl was apparently told she was not allowed to sit on Santa’s lap unless she purchased a $21 picture of the meeting, according to a Local 6 News report.
Maria Grigorian said she took her daughter, Michelle, to the North Shore Mall in Peabody to visit Santa Claus.
According to Local 6, when the 4-year-old got to the front of the line, she was not allowed to sit on Santa’s lap because her mother did not have cash to pay for the picture.
Grigorian said the least expensive photo offered was $21.
“I am a single mom and don’t have that money right now,” Grigorian said.
Michele was so upset over the incident that she burst into tears and left with her mother.
“To see her crying and saying, ‘Mommy I just want to tell Santa what I want for Christmas,’” Grigorian said. “I was heartbroken, totally heartbroken.”
An official with the Northshore Mall has apologized and said a meeting with Santa is free of charge.
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POSTED IN: General stupidity
5 opinions for 4-Year-Old Girl Denied Santa Visit For Not Buying Photo
Gayla
Dec 6, 2005 at 1:03 pm
When you are a parent it seems photos are EVERYWHERE. Three times a year, I get order forms from school for my kids pictures - we have standard school pictures (like we all had as kids) - we have fall pictures and spring pictures. Then if your kid plays in sports, well there goes another bunch.
Being the mom of twins — well it got WAY out of hand and I found that my digital came in much handier. When there’s sports pics to be taken, you’ll find me standing right next to the photographer snapping my own. To prevent anything from being said, I let a little something happen to fall out of my purse when I bend over to “fix my shoe” giving them indication that “NOW IS NOT THE TIME OF THE MONTH TO HONK ME OFF.” (whether it is or not, it works) :)
As for this mom? I sure hope she gave that Santa a good beard yankin’ and revealed him for what he is A PHONEY and then take the child to the local Fire Department to visit the REAL Santa when he comes to town :)
peanut
Dec 22, 2005 at 9:33 am
If someone can’t afford a 21 dollar Santa photo, why put their kid in the line? Did she expect charity? If so, a shopping mall isn’t the place to look for it. It would appear they are running a business but this lady wanted the workers to pay rather than her. Now her daughter gets a free Santa visit just because she raised a stink.
As far as giving that Santa a beard yankin I don’t think that would be very Christmas like at all. Here’s a guy trying to earn money to buy presents for his own family and you got a lady who can’t afford 21 bucks running around a mall trying to get free photos while everyone else is paying.
If you want a Santa photo for free, find one advertised as free and go there. If you don’t have a spare 21 bucks, you probably should not be in the mall anyway. I raised two kids and you can find plenty of free Santa opportunities if you just put forth a little effort. Judging by the effort this mother put forth complaining to officials she could have saved everyone a lot of trouble with a little research before the fact.
To the little girl I feel sorry. Her mother put her in a bad situation and should be embarrassed.
Maria
Jan 7, 2008 at 12:29 pm
To Peanut: The visit for Santa is free I didn’t put my kid in a situation and I never asked for charity so if you don’t know the story don’t judge! Mall Santa are and should always be free to visit and talk to. I wouldn’t want to see anyone go through What I been through. and Ya it’s Christmas I been shopping and ran out of money. Your A Cold hearted person to sit there and write stuff like this about a situation you know nothing about!
christine
Jan 15, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I agree with Maria, that is really cold hearted to judge like that! She didn’t ask for a free photo! The girl just wanted to sit on Santa’s lap. The reason the world is turning so cold is because of “frost bitten” people like “peanut” good for you, you raised two kids. What does that mean? It dosesn’t mean you raised them well. I highly doubt it with her attitude.
82_Marine
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I will have to agree with Peanut on this one, there are many places you can get a free Santa visits and allow you to take your own pic.
The one at the mall is just another business with employees there trying to make money just as peanut said.
Same way you would not get in line at McDonalds and expect a free Christmas happy meal toy.
I don’t think any one is judging here but its just common sense especially if you see others in line paying for this service.
I myself am a single parent desert storm veteran and have 4 children and i have been in that situation where my kids have pulled on my jacket at the mall to go see Santa but money is tight these days so my local fire department works even better.
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