Real Santa

Springhill mall has a real guy with real beard and hair. The Herald just had a write up on him. I hope they don't change again. For the last 3 years, we went they had a different guy with real beard. My daughter who is 4 noticed that the new one is not the same person but is Santa just the same. Good luck.

Northbrook Court (a hike I know) has an AWESOME Santa. He is really great with the kids and really looks like Santa!

I can't help you this year, but next year bring him to the Christmas parade in Woodstock the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We have the same Santa every year (with real beard!) and he's great! You can always just tell him right now the real santa is too busy with last minute duties at the North Pole so he sends his helpers out to see the kids now! If you know someone with a really good Santa voice that your son won't recognize have him call him on the phone! Make sure Santa leaves a nice note too when he visits on Christmas! My favorite saying to my son is if you don't believe he doesn't come to see you! (or if you don't believe, you don't receive!) Merry Christmas!

I have always told my kids that the real Santa is too busy to be hanging out at the mall all day...especially this time of year. They know that all the Santas they see are just helpers and people that are there for us to take photos with.

The real Santa is all about magic and mystery. You don't get to meet the real Santa, he only comes when you are sleeping (he knows when you're awake).

I believe Stratford Square in Bloomingdale has one.

I just saw one at the ice house mall in barrington by the jewel...
Not sure if he is there tomorrow. here is the # ###-###-####

We went to the Spring Hill Mall Santa yesterday. He does have a real beard and he's very nice. They have extended hours this week before the holiday, so if you're still looking, that might be a good place to try.

Hi H.,

We were just at Spring Hill Mall yesterday to see Santa and he definitely has the real beard and real long white hair. He was fantastic. We've been the past few years and he is actually different from the one that we've seen before. I would try going back to Spring Hill. I'm not sure of any other places. Good luck!!

The Ice House mall in Barrington has a real Santa. He is there on Saturday 12/19 from 10am-2pm. The Ice House Mall in kind of behind Jewel off Lake Cook road ( also called Main st in down town Barrington ). It is a brick ranch style building. We are going to go there today! If you need hours for other days google Ice House Mall Santa hours 2009. Also it is NEVER crowded here!!! Maybe 7 kids deep at most!

All of the Santas at Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale have real beards and look great!

Bass Pro Shop in Gurnee Mills Mall. And the pic is free too! They have a nice little set up with santa, games, and activities for kids.

This may stir up all kinds of controversy, but if he's starting to doubt that santa is real, how about telling him the truth? Or perhaps phrase the santa talk in your house as "Everyone who gives gifts is santa." This may be the time of your 7 year old's life where s/he is looking to you for some explanation about something that really doesn't even make sense. Really, flying reindeer and a stranger who comes into your house? Do your child a favor and don't make the lie any bigger.

I didn't believe after 6 years old. I was just one of those doubters, and I was mad at my parents for lying to me.

Hawthorn Mall (Westfield Shopping Center) in Vernon Hills has a Santa with a real beard. Just saw him yesterday and noted this. Not sure if they rotate the Santas or not however.