It’s Christmas time in the city! We are going on our 3rd year here in Seattle but this is the first time we will be here for Christmas. The past couple of years we have had so much fun getting to know our city and have these favorite Christmas traditions but this year we will have more time to enjoy them.
This post was sponsored by Pacific Place but all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this little blog.
I hurried the kids out the door, letters to Santa in hand, and shuttled them into the car. I was a little nervous we’d miss the Snow Show at Pacific Place. We took a wrong turn that set us back several minutes causing us to miss the 6 pm show but I am so happy that they also have one at 7 all days, except Sunday. The kids did not believe Santa was really here in the mall, which is hilarious to me because I grew up always seeing Santa at the mall. But then they saw him and were so excited and a little nervous to give him their wishlist. 
We did their wishlist a little differently this year. After countless reminders on being kind and not fighting with each other, I was a little fed up with their attitudes towards their siblings. You will LOVE each other dang it!! So my husband and I came up with this idea of having the kids ask for gifts for their siblings as well as themselves. We wanted them to really think about the sibling they were assigned to and choose things that would make them happy. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be for them as they always found something to bicker about. One thing I loved is they all shared their thoughts on what the other kids would like and really hoped they would get it. While we decided to only get the kids 3 gifts each this year, we decided since the kids were so thoughtful in their asking for their siblings, that Santa would in fact bring them that gift- we want to add to the magic and hope that they still have.
Santa, who was sitting on his brand new ornament chair, was happy to hear that the kids were thinking not of just themselves but of others as well. I love how he took the time to read their letters, ask them about themselves and pose for the pictures. With 4 kids it takes a lot of shots to get that one where they all or mostly are looking at the camera. 
After a wonderful exchange with sweet Santa, we headed downstairs to the atrium to await a “surprise.” I love the look of snow except I don’t like real snow- I just don’t like being cold! The lights turned colors and there was a man speaking, I couldn’t hear because I was distracted, but then music came on and specks of “snow” slowly started coming down. Adelle’s eyes got wide and she started doing her silly giggle that is incredibly hilarious and contagious. The kids started to open their mouths to taste the snow but I quickly nixed that idea. Hahahah! Adelle started sliding her feet around pretending she was ice skating. She did fall a couple of times but that didn’t stop her. Isn’t snow magical, especially when enjoyed from a warm place?
After the Snow Show we wanted to get a quick treat so we headed upstairs to Johnny Rocketts for some fries (for me!) and milkshakes. It kind of took forever so we took some potty breaks and went into a shop to buy some warm hats to give to the homeless outside the mall. (You can read more about that on my Instagram).
We went downstairs and spotted one of the giant marquee light words “JOY” which is a great photo op. They are currently holding a contest around the marquee light words (LOVE and JOY) where you take a photo and hashtag with #PacPlaceJOY or #PacPlaceLOVE and you’ll be entered to win a $250 giftcard. You know you are going to do it anyway so why not add an extra hashtag, right? 
They also have a 3D light show outside on 6th Avenue but the kids were tired so we had to get them home. When we go back to see the gingerbread houses (Harry Potter themed this year!) at the Sheraton we will stop by for the light show.
Oh, guys, I just love Christmas and all the happy feelings around it. Everyone seems a little more pleasant and kinder. It isn’t too late to visit Santa and give him your wishlist. I have a free printable of the Santa letter we used to get our kids not just of themselves but to think about others as well. I’ve included a religious Santa letter with “Jesus” and a non-religious Santa letter for those that celebrate Christmas but would prefer a generic letter instead.
What is your favorite thing to do in the city?
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