As with much of the festive season, visits to the shopping centre for a photo with the jolly man himself can be a flurry of noise, crowds and overstimulation.
But Variety Tasmania is helping ensure children who experience sensory challenges don't have to miss out, with select shopping centres holding "quiet Santa sessions".
Similar to quiet sessions run in supermarkets, Variety Tasmania chief executive Mohammad Aldergham said the first step was dimming the lights and turning down the music playing in the store or centre.
"It's a very simple modification to what is traditionally at Santa photo sessions," he said.
"We turn the lights down a little bit, turn the music down, we ask the trolley collectors to keep [quiet as] absolutely necessary, and it's pre-booked, so each family can know exactly what time they need to be there and how long it's going to take them."
Each session runs for about 10 minutes, and families have an opportunity when they book to specify their child's disability or unique requirements to ensure a smooth, positive outcome.
Volunteers from the department of education, children and young people from areas like disability services, early childhood intervention and speech-language pathology are also on hand.
"We [also] have soft toys, there are bubbles, there is singing, there are a lot of different sensory tools if you like, or play equipment to engage the child," Mr Aldergham said.
"And so it's not the standard photo session that a standard shopper would come across, so it's always an interesting sight from the outside.
"People, once they understand what's happening, are very appreciative. They love it."
Wanting a Santa photo, 'just like everyone else'
Kate Willing has taken her two sons to quiet Santa visits for the last few years, after failed attempts at other Santa photo opportunities.
Both Hudson and Lincoln have autism and find sensory regulation difficult, and shopping centres "have caused a lot of meltdowns and upsets" in the past, Ms Willing said.
She said the quiet sessions had transformed their experience, with her sons now looking forward to their photo.
"We're just like everyone else," Ms Willing said.
"Our children still love Santa and are in the Christmas spirit, and we want that Santa photo as much as anyone else.
"That opportunity to give it to them is just amazing."
She said the difference in the experience was evident immediately when the family went along to their first quiet Santa photo.
"The calmness of the boys feeling accepted was the big thing," she said.
"And everyone that was looking was understanding. It wasn't that judging look of, 'why are they doing this?' or 'why are they screaming?'
"That was really rewarding for the boys to be able to just go, 'you know what, we're accepted, we can take our time. And we can be ourselves'."
Unfortunately, this year's sessions are already booked out — but Mr Aldergham said he was hopeful going forwards that other shopping centres would start to host the sessions as well.
"We'd love to see it everywhere, to be honest with you, across the state," he said.
"Our volunteers … really want to be involved across the state. So … I'm really hoping someone else will pick it up for next year and will spread the Christmas joy for those children."
