This year, we almost didn’t have a Santa photo. Almost.

The kids got dressed up, we went down to a local shopping centre to get into the queue to visit with Santa and take the customary photo on the big man’s knee.

The queue was surprisingly short. That had to be a great sign, right?

When it was our turn the “bell ringing girl” approached us - you know the one I mean, don’t you? She’s the girl who stands behind the photographer and rings the bell in the hope of getting the kids to smile.

She came over with her price chart and asked what package I wanted to purchase. I asked how much for 1 photo (I figured I’d just scan it – as you do). When she told me that 1 photo was $19.95, my draw dropped. No wonder the queue was non-existent.

Much to the kids horror, we turned away and went in search of another Santa. To most city people, $20 wouldn’t be that much for a Santa picture, but considering we live in a Regional area, and it was just a shopping centre Santa, not one of the more glamorous department store Santa’s (ie David Jones or Myer), the pricing was a little steep.

In the end, we got our Santa photo  -at Harvey Norman. For the non-Aussies, Harvey Norman is an computer/electrics/furniture chain.

For $10 we came away with a big 6” x 6” photo PLUS 6 x 6” x 4” photos PLUS 5 pack greeting cards (the ones where you can insert the photos) PLUS 2 calendars.

Pretty good value if you ask me…

Okay, I’ve had my little rant, so now I can show you our Santa photo for 2011.

Santa with my 2 smiling children (yes it is the first year we haven’t had tears in the photo – or the need for me to join them in the picture). My babies are growing up! I wonder how much longer they’ll sit for the Santa photo.

At what age did you children stop letting you drag them to the store, to take a picture with Santa?