Bookstore Santa

Kids' visits to Santa bring two things to mind: A Christmas Story's psycho workaholic Santa who dashes Ralphie's dream of a Red Ryder BB gun, and the long lines of whining kids and bored parents filling the malls at Christmastime. If your child must see Santa, your best bet might be Half Price Books. He'll be at the flagship store, 5803 E. Northwest Highway, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays starting this Friday. Kids can bring pets to be photographed with them, and all proceeds benefit Operation Kindness, an animal welfare organization. Call 214-379-8000.
Fridays, 5-9 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 1-5 p.m. Starts: Nov. 24. Continues through Dec. 24