Santa Scott Diethorne is known for being silly with kids and showing off his “Naughty” and “Nice” tattoos. As of this year, though, things are a little different at his usual haunt at the Oxford Valley Mall.
Regular visitors Amanda Nagy and Bob Kelly found out about the changes that tamed the beloved Santa when they showed up for the first pet photo opportunity of the season Sunday. Santa Scott has a reputation of taking pictures with any type of pet. These include alligators, snakes and more, in addition to the regular dogs and cats. When the couple showed up with their three pythons and boa constrictor on Sunday night, they were puzzled when Santa refused to show his tattoos.
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The new photo company, Holiday Moments, received a complaint that the wackier side of Santa Scott had been neutered. And based on reaction from social media, the more tame Santa Scott was not as well received.
“He is such a cool and fun Santa, so we have been going to him every year,” Nagy explained.
The changes to policy don’t mean that Santa Scott is going anywhere. He is still stationed at the mall taking pictures with kids and pets alike.
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“It seems like the managing company kind of took the personal touches away from him,” Kelly said.
Although he couldn’t comment on the situation, Scott reaffirmed to LevittownNow.com that he will keep spreading holiday spirit as he have over the years.
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Many people go to Santa Scott for his tattoos and goofiness, at least half a dozen customers who spoke with this new organization said. According to Nagy, he offers an alternative to the hundreds of other Santas that people can go to for photos. For some kids, Santa Scott is the best option, even opting to get on the ground to pose with kids if that is what they prefer.
“You can tell that these are genuine smiles, not just posed fake smiles,” Nagy said, referencing the photo of a child beaming from ear to ear as Santa Scott holds him upside down.
“He is just an all around nice guy,” Kelly said.
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Throughout the rest of the year, the couple runs into Santa Scott around the area. They said they are easy to remember because of their pets.
“I feel like they should just give the public what they want,” Nagy said. “If you want a traditional Santa, there are hundreds of options out there.”
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“Without him being able to do what he has done, he is just another mall Santa,” Kelly said.
The most important piece of the puzzle is that Nagy and the others upset with the policy change are not pushing for a boycott of Santa Scott or the mall photos, they just want him to be able to return to his usual self in delighting guests and their families.
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Cherry Hill Programs, the company responsible for managing the photo sessions, said through a spokesperson that the mission of the Santa experience at the Middletown mall is to provide an authentic and magical experience for all guests.
The representative went on to explain that the goal of the company is to maintain the traditional and authentic image of Santa Claus.
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Santa Scott is also partnered with Crush Photography Studio in Levittown, who can do photoshoots of Scott with kids and pets if the mall photos are not what the public wants.
