The Great Jeff Roffman Santa Adventure: Traffic, Tears, and Holiday Magic

Every year, without fail, our family embarks on the ultimate holiday tradition: the Jeff Roffman Santa visit. This is not just a "snap a pic and go" kind of Santa. This is the Santa experience of all Santa experiences—complete with magical photos, hot chocolate, and just the right amount of chaos. And as always, Seth joined us, because no matter how old or college-cool he gets, he knows this tradition is non-negotiable.

This year, though, felt heavier for me. Mark wasn’t here. And while I wanted to break down and cry in the middle of Atlanta traffic, I knew this was one tradition that had to stay intact. For the kids. For me. For us. So, I shoved my emotions into the backseat (along with Brittany’s glittery headband and Blake’s oversized marshmallow stash) and focused on making the day magical. Or, at least, survivable.

Step 1: Atlanta Traffic—Teamwork and Encouragement (with a Side of Nostalgia)

Surprisingly, the car ride downtown wasn’t the chaotic circus I braced for—it was fun. Seth was an absolute rock star, keeping the younger two entertained and chiming in with, “You’ve got this, Mom,” whenever I got stuck at yet another red light. It was exactly the kind of encouragement I didn’t know I needed. Blake and Brittany were bubbling with excitement, singing Christmas songs and debating who would tell Santa their wish list first.

The whole time, I could hear Mark’s voice in my head, reassuring me: You can do this. You’ve got this. I couldn’t help but laugh when I realized how different this drive felt now that I was the one in the driver’s seat. How did Mark make it through years of this trek without yelling at me once for making him haul the family across town to a holiday event? I mean, I yelled at me three times before we even hit the interstate. It’s a whole different world behind the wheel!

Step 2: The Elfie Booth—Technology vs. Cold Fingers

Next stop: the Elfie Booth, a high-tech, touch-screen photo station that lets you capture festive family selfies. Sounds fun, right? WRONG. The screen absolutely refused to register my cold fingers, as if to say, “Try again when you’re less frozen, lady.” Seth, ever the trooper, took over with a laugh, saying, “Let me show you how it’s done,” only for the screen to ignore him too. “This thing hates us,” he muttered, tapping increasingly harder while Blake loudly suggested we “just karate chop it.”

Brittany, queen of calm, declared, “Maybe it’s because you’re old. My hands would totally work.” And of course, they did. One perfect tap and the screen lit up, like it had just been waiting for her youthful touch. Seth and I exchanged a look that said, Never tell her she was right.

Finally, we got our shot, though Blake refused to smile because “Santa will fix it anyway,” and Brittany critiqued my pose with, “Mom, try to look less confused.” Nothing like holiday technology to make you question your dignity.

Step 3: The Retro Electric Horse Rides

Next up: the electric ride-on horses, which are basically vintage metal ponies that jostle and rock back and forth while you silently pray the wiring is still intact. Blake was over the moon, yelling, “Faster! Faster!” as the horse dutifully ignored his commands. Brittany, naturally skeptical, climbed aboard with a loud, “Is this thing even safe?!” and Seth stood back filming it all, undoubtedly planning to post the footage online with a caption like, “My siblings are insane.”

Step 4: Hot Chocolate: Chaos in a Cup

The hot chocolate station brought out the true personalities of my kids. Blake turned his cocoa into a marshmallow sculpture so large it defied the laws of gravity. Brittany, ever the perfectionist, created an artistic whipped cream-and-candy cane masterpiece. And Seth? Just marshmallows. Because “whipped cream is for amateurs,” apparently.

As for me, I scanned the table desperately for coffee. There was none. How am I supposed to handle three sugared-up kids without caffeine, Jeff? HOW?

Step 5: Letters to Santa—When Creativity Runs Wild

The letters-to-Santa station is where things really took a turn. As we settled in to write, Blake pulled out all the stops. His list included an AI Bear to read bedtime stories to him, 10 billion dollars, and—wait for it—superpowers. Yes, you read that correctly. Apparently, Santa's going to need a tech lab, a bank vault, and possibly a Marvel crossover to fulfill Blake's wishes this year.

Brittany, on the other hand, decided to keep it simple (in her mind) and asked for an Apple Watch. An Apple Watch. What happened to Barbies and craft kits? My 9-year-old now thinks she needs wearable tech.

Meanwhile, Seth, always the sarcastic older brother, wrote, “Dear Santa, please bring Mom coffee and also a nap. She really needs it.” Thanks for looking out for me, Seth. You’re not wrong.

Step 6: The Great Cookie Debacle

The cookie-making station is where things really went sideways.

As we approached, Brittany froze mid-step, pointing dramatically. “MOM. That kid just licked the spatula!” This revelation meant Brittany opted for sprinkle-only cookies because, “I’m not eating someone’s germs.” Blake, meanwhile, enthusiastically slathered his cookie with frosting and sprinkles until it resembled a glitter explosion.

Seth grabbed a cookie, raised an eyebrow, and said, “I’ll skip the extras, thanks.”

The Grand Finale: Santa Pictures

Finally, the pièce de résistance: our visit with Jeff’s Santa. And let me tell you—no one does it like Jeff Roffman. Santa was warm, magical, and everything we needed him to be. The kids lit up, their eyes sparkling in that way that makes every ounce of traffic, stress, and spilled hot chocolate worth it. Jeff captured their joy, their excitement, and yes—even a little bit of mine.

But this year, sitting there without Mark, it hit differently. He should’ve been there with us, laughing at the marshmallow chaos and pretending not to cry at how grown-up the kids looked in their holiday outfits. I missed him deeply. I always do. But somehow, in the magic of that room, I could feel him there—smiling through the chaos, proud of the family we’ve built.

Why We Do It

The pictures are stunning, yes. But it’s more than that. It’s the memories, the laughter, and the moments that remind us what this season is all about. It’s about holding on to traditions, even when it’s hard. It’s about showing my kids that joy and love are still possible, even when life feels heavy.

So yes, we’ll be back next year, battling traffic and navigating cookie crumbs, because these moments are worth it. Every single one of them.

And Jeff, if you’re reading this, please consider adding a coffee station next year. 😊