"What message are you sending your children; 'Look Tommy and Sally, see what your parents stole you for Christmas,'" Young said. "This is a private enterprise and these people do this to make a living ... it's really not that expensive."
He said it's free for a child to sit on his lap and talk about presents and wishes, but he doesn't hesitate to ask mall security to stop parents from taking pictures with cell phones and digital cameras. That's led to some people using "four-letter words" and having "tantrums" when asked to stop taking pictures, Young said.
Mall Operations Manager Amos Haggett said the commission the mall makes from photos isn't significant, and he would consider paying a Santa to offer free photo opportunities.
"I'm a grandfather, and if my grandson was on Santa's lap, I'd take a picture," he said.
- Topics
- Santa Claus
