My husband and I both fondly remember visiting Santa when we were growing up. Now that we are parents and establishing our own family traditions, the annual visit to Kris Kringle is something we vow not to miss. This is the third year that we have made the short trip to the Empire Mall to spend some quality time with Santa. We’ve really grown to have a special place in our hearts for him and we feel like he’s a true staple in our holiday season.
Even though we make this trip year after year, we always wonder how it will go. You’re never quite sure how your kids are going to act. 😉 Carsten had no problem hopping right up on Santa’s lap and telling him all about his Christmas wish for a bass drum. {This kid is destined to be in a marching band and I love it.}
Blakely on the other hand is still in the ‘stranger danger’ phase and it showed. She was very unwilling to sit with St. Nick all on her own, even if it was beside her brave and confident brother.
She warmed up fairly quickly once she was accompanied by her mama and eased into a sweet little exchange with Santa. {Something I so appreciate about the Empire Mall Santa is that he doesn’t force the experience with the kids. He’s so respectful and patient with each child depending on their comfort level.}
All in all we had so much fun and the kids left full of smiles and excitement.
Keep scrolling for some insider info from Santa himself about the top five trends he’s hearing about from kids of all ages; all of which can be found at the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls!
Holiday Trends 2017
1. Sports gear – Support your favorite team and get the kids involved! We love shopping at Old Navy for all of our NFL shirts. Dick’s Sporting Goods also has a ton of great options for any sports fan on your list.
2. Puzzles & Games – Santa specifically talked about the number of kids who are looking for a new game or puzzle to enjoy with their family. Carsten has definitely been into board games lately and there are so many great pop-up shops lining the aisles of the Empire Mall with the latest and greatest options for all ages. I also found some great age-appropriate puzzles for Miss B in Younkers!
3. Coats, Hats & Gloves – This one is more of a necessity than a want! Blakely is getting a new coat that we found at Gap that will keep her warm and cozy. It’s also a great pattern that’s not too obnoxious so it can be paired with just about anything as we get through the winter months. Those hats and gloves make great stocking stuffers!
4. Fresh Sneaks! – Who doesn’t love a new pair of shoes?! Our favorite places to find affordable and practical shoes in the Empire Mall are Macy’s, Younkers, Journeys and Foot Locker.
5. An Empire Mall Gift Card! – The best part about this gift is that it not only allows the kids in your life to pick out something they’re really wanting, but it also gives you a great excuse to have a little date day post holidays! Visit Caribou Coffee on your way in for a quick treat for them and a coffee for you. Then head out to find some treasures and wrap it up with a lunch in the food court.
Speaking of gift cards… I have teamed up with the Empire Mall to give one of you lovely Midwest In Style readers a $200 gift card to use anywhere in the mall! And who couldn’t use an extra $200 during the holidays?! Use it to purchase those last minute gifts for people on your list OR treat yourself after all of your gift shopping is complete. 😉
Enter for a chance to win below! This giveaway will end on Sunday, December 17th and will be announced in Sunday’s blog post!
xo
-M
Congratulations to the winner of the $200 Empire Mall Gift Card: Alayna H.!
Thank you to all who participated in this giveaway!
This post is sponsored by the Empire Mall and Simon Malls. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Midwest In Style and the retailers that make this blog possible. Happy Holidays!
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What fun! We need to get you out to the new lululemon store to do a review with them. I’d love to know what the trends in yoga-wear are. Let’s be honest, working from home has meant a lot of yoga pants and I’m over my boring basic black but I’m not sure I’m brave enough for some of the wild patterns. You don’t want to see this booty in stripes!
There’s actually a post coming up with them!! Stay tuned!!
-M
Thanks for the giveaway. My favorite gift growing up was a bike!
I got a pink Huffy one year and I’ve never been cooler. 😉
-M
Great post! My favorite Santa gift was definitely a Doodle Bear back in the day!! I wanted one of those things forEVER. Haha
YES! I remember being so jealous of people with a Doodle Bear! Love it
-M
This is so fun! I’m eyeing the Loft sweater sale and the new Lulu so a gift card would be so fun. Plus, love Old Navy always! Easy to shop for the whole fam there. Thanks for the giveaway!
The Lululemon store is AMAZING! A post featuring them is coming very soon!
So cute! Love to see a blogger teaming up with local area stores such as the Mall!
Thanks Alayna!
My favorite gift as a child from Santa was anything that was in my stocking! I loved that part Christmas no matter what the present was.
Stocking gifts are certainly my favorite to give! Just sweet little things with sweet thought behind them 🙂
-M
Love your blog – but you already knew that 🙂 a potential gift card is just the icing on the cake 😉
Aww Ashley you’re the sweetest. I know you would have no problem finding a way to use this gift card. 😉
Hugs!
-M
Love the Empire Mall. I currently live away from the area and now realize how spoiled I was to have such a nice well-rounded mall close by!
They keep bringing in more and more great options! It’s amazing!
-M
Thanks for the giveaway chance! Trying to think of a favorite Santa gift… What comes to mind is the Easy Bake Oven!
I never got an Easy Bake Oven and I blame my lack of cooking/baking skills solely on that. 😉
-M
I got a trampoline when I was in third grade! My kids still have that same trampoline!
My cousins had a trampoline and it was so fun! Thanks for sharing and reading along!
-M
Gosh you and your fam are just the cutest!! This work- from-home momma could definitely step up her yoga pant game;) #lulu
You are too sweet, Amanda! I also need some Lulu leggings,,, they’re like butter!!! 😉
-M
Isn’t it so heartwarming to see how the kids can be with Santa? So sweet!
It’s soo sweet! I absolutely love it.
-M
I have & always will love shoes from Santa!! My 2 y/o daughter is following in my footsteps & already loves shoes.
I typically give shoes as gifts… to myself. 😉 Always good!
-M
We always get an orange in our stockings at Christmas- i didn’t like it when I was a child but I sure like it now!!
Thanks for hosting such a fun giveaway! My favorite gift growing up was my Barbie dream house!
My favorite gift from Santa was an easy bake oven! Love the giveaway!
My favorite gift I got as a kid was my first bike..
This is great! Thanks girl!!