CherryVale Santa gets tech savvy

Santa Claus

From press release

Santa Claus is looking forward to the time-honored traditions of visiting with children at CherryVale Mall and receiving letters at the North Pole, but he is also giving his communications a high-tech update. Santa can now send children mobile phone text messages that he “cant w8 2 visit them xmas eve” and tell them about his preparations for the big night via Web videos.

CherryVale Mall’s holiday Web site home page, ShopCherryValeMall.com, is the source for connecting with Santa this holiday season. Through the site, parents can learn his visiting hours at the mall, print a Dear Santa letter and coloring sheets, and download a series of video messages from Santa about how he and his elves are preparing for Christmas Eve. They can also sign their children up to receive mobile telephone text messages from Santa.

For a nominal fee, family or friends can log on to the site, input a few facts about the child, and schedule times for the children to receive the message.

Three text messages to a child before Christmas Day cost $5.49, and a customizable message for Christmas morning can be scheduled for an additional 99 cents.

“But no Christmas would be complete without a one-on-one visit with the jolly old fellow,” said Mark Peterson, CherryVale’s general manager. “Santa will be at CherryVale Mall visiting with thousands of good little girls and boys until Christmas Eve, when he will finish making his list and checking it twice.”

Santa Claus will be available to hear children’s wishes 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday. Santa’s visit to CherryVale Mall is from now until 6 p.m., Dec. 24, when he prepares to make his trek around the world. There is no charge to visit Santa and share a holiday wish list. Photos are available for purchase, and prices vary for photo packages.

Discounts are available for individuals who bring a non-perishable food item for the Santa Feeds America canned food drive. For more information, call the mall’s management office at (636) 532-4004.