As part of a unique "holiday partnership" with the cinematic event "Wicked," Santaland at Bloomingdale's 59th Street flagship has undergone a remarkable transformation. Pink Christmas trees, wand lollipops instead of candy canes, and "Wicked"-themed bracelets now adorn the festive scene. Even Santa himself has donned a green suit with elaborate gold details, departing from his traditional red and white attire.

Parents' Disappointment

Many parents were left disappointed when they discovered that Bloomingdale's was only offering a green Santa. A dejected mom on a local Facebook group shared her experience, stating, "Just a heads up if your child is expecting Santa in his traditional red and white suit, Bloomingdale's is only offering green Santa. We left a bit disappointed without a photo." This incident highlights the disconnect between parents' expectations and the store's holiday makeover.

Impact on Kids

The change in Santa's appearance has had a significant impact on kids. At "Wicked" Santaland, an emerald-clad elf admitted that babies take one look at the green Santa and start crying. Six-year-old Jada Robinson was "very, very, very surprised" about the green Santa, as red is more associated with Christmas in her mind. One dad even made a point of telling his children about the color change ahead of time to prevent potential meltdowns.

Elves and Christmas Trees

Not only Santa has lost his red. Elves now wear green, and Christmas trees have turned pink. This complete overhaul of the holiday decor has sparked discussions among both parents and kids. Some believe that such changes go against the true spirit of Christmas, especially during the huge "Wicked" marketing blitz.

Santa Doug's Perspective

Santa Doug, Bloomingdale's in-house Santa since 2019, was kept in the dark about his "Wicked" wardrobe switcheroo until the last minute. It's his first time not wearing his classic red suit, and he only found out about the outfit changes last month. However, he noted that it is mainly parents who miss the crimson. His response to parents' inquiries is usually a jolly laugh and a quip along the lines of "Well, we're in the Emerald City."

Other Santas' Views

Other Santas have different opinions. Tim Connaghan, the 77-year-old founder of the School4Santa, is a traditionalist and proud of it. He has been playing Father Christmas since he was a 20-year-old in Vietnam and would likely decline a job that required him to wear a green suit. "I'm traditional — and proud of that," he said. "I'm always in a red suit, except on my own time."