[graciegirl]

I first met him on the sixth floor of Lazarus Department store in Columbus, Ohio.

He was surrounded by some lovely "Santa Belles".

I didn't cry, but I was very shy I was later told.

[DougB]

Don't actually remember. Probably Dadeland Mall in Miami, Florida.

[bkcunningham1]

My first memory of meeting jolly old St. Nick was at my father's Kiwanis Club's Christmas dinner for the members' families. Santa gave out presents to the children of the Kiwanis Club members. I have one very, very clear picture in my head of that night. It is almost like a snapshot taken by my mind's eye and your post made me pull it out and wipe off the dust Gracie.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

My family (mom, dad and sisters) were walking down main street in the next town over in December. Ahead was a sidewalk Santa; and when we reached him he greeted us by name and admonished us about our fighting with specifics.
We kids were shocked and instantly became true believers.

Many years latter as adults we found out that the man who played Santa worker with my father and dad fed him the naughty things we had done.
But still and all I still believe.

[ettojr]

Mom took us from the Bronx down to the flagship Macy's Herald Square. The resulting picture, long since missing, is of me with a look of absolute terror. I was a month short of turning 2yrs old, so December 1957. Santa and I have patched things up since then.

[2newyorkers]

I think mine was at the Bayshore/ Brightwaters ambulance annual Christmas Party.

[redwitch]

Not sure I ever met Santa. In Germany, we had St. Nicholas but he and Schwarzen Peter were never visible -- you left your shoe out in Dec. 6 and goodies (usually fruit, nuts, a wallet with a little money) or yuckies (coal and switches) were left in the shoe. On Christmas Eve, you went to services and when you got home, the Christmas tree was up and lit with one gift beneath it from the Krist Kind (Christ Child) thanking you for your year of devotion and love.

From Germany, it was Russia, the Middle East and the Far East, then the US. Santas were not too common in any of these places (nor was Christmas unless we were on base or in the embassy).

Do remember seeing store Santas in the US and not getting who or what they were but really was too old to buy into the Santa story by then. Absolutely refused to have my picture taken with this fat man in the ugly red suit.

I still miss our German way of celebrating Christmas.

[DianeM]

Macy's Herald Square and I still have the picture.

[SALYBOW]

Sixth floor of Shillito's in downtown Cincinnati, Oh.

[zcaveman]

When I caught him kissing my mother under the mistle toe!!!

Z

[BS Beef]

Here. After looking in the store front windows at the winter wonderland scenes and then spending time in "Toy Land"!!!

[skyguy79]

My recollection was that it was at Montgomery Wards in Menands NY. (picture below from around 1948) I later worked in that Wards store. I was in their central credit department while at the same time fully matriculated in college - evening division. Incidentally, did you know that Rodolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was created by Robert L. May, for a Montgomery Wards coloring book back in 1939?

[DougB]

And May's brother-in-law wrote the song.

[renielarson]

My only memory of meeting Santa was at Sears Roebuck. I remember the encounter vividly. I was not afraid, waited in line patiently, then sat on his lap and told him what I wanted for Christmas...although I can't remember what I wanted. LOL

[Mudder]

Wannamakers Dept store, Philadelphia, 3rd floor in Toyland.