Updated at noon ET Monday
The time-honored tradition is as steeped in lore as Father Christmas himself: child nestles on Santa's knee, rattles off the coveted goodies, then a snap of the camera preserves the memory in all of its seasonal glory.
Or, this:
Interminable lines, artificial pine and a whiskered stranger decked in red. It's more than some kids and, yes, even parents, can take.
Now, in an effort to swap some of the experience's impulsiveness for efficiency: Santa is taking reservations at Macy's flagship store at New York City's Herald Square. That's the site of the 1947 classic, Miracle on 34th Street.
The company says each year it receives around a quarter million visitors to "Macy's Santaland," its 13,000 square foot North Pole-like display there that runs through Christmas Eve. And it wants to speed Santa's guests along by barring walk-ins. Patrons can sign up online to get on Santa's calendar in half-hour time slots from as late as 30 minutes before the planned visit to as early as five days ahead.
The wait to see Santa can stretch up to three hours during peak times, according to Macy's, which says it expects the new system will cut that time to less than an hour.
The store Santa will see children for free, but a professional photo package of the visit begins at $20.99.
How disappointing @Macys. Seeing Santa should not be so stringent. It is a magical moment for children. #BooMacys https://t.co/SoM9uToaLK
— Kathy Horn (@ChangemakerPR) November 20, 2017
"Santa's a popular guy, so the wait times to meet him have been quite long in previous years, especially on our busiest days," Macy's said on its web site. "The new reservation system is designed to minimize this by scheduling visitors to join the line at a time of your choice, allowing for the best possible holiday experience."
We are on line to see santa @Macys herald square. Yes we are nutz! Only in #nyc do you make reservations to see #santa and you still have to wait in a long line 😂 pic.twitter.com/TAzCR1pknH
— Lyss Stern (@divamoms) November 24, 2017
But some social media users described the change as a Grinch-like move.
And others complained of long wait times, even with reservations.
"I believe, I believe," said young Susan (Natalie Wood) in Miracle on 34th Street. These days that Christmas spirit might just require an online booking first.
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