'Tis the season to $pend money

Growing up in Santa Monica, my friends and I always looked forward to the holiday season. When the weather finally dropped to 60 degrees - unheard of! - we knew this meant it was time to pull out our gloves and winter-themed scrunchies. The ice rink was coming! Unfortunately, as we have aged, our enthusiasm for the activities Santa Monica offers during the holidays has dropped - primarily due to the obnoxious prices the city so proudly flaunts.For years, we anxiously awaited the day the empty parking lot would be buried by the perfect sheet of ice we loved so much. After weeks of waiting, the rink would finally open, and there we’d be, dragging our moms after us. Of course, they were happy to see us so excited and year after year complied with our longing to live on the ice. Now that we no longer need our moms to take us to the rink, we are faced with the 15 dollar entrance fee ourselves. Before this, we had never given the cost a second thought, letting our parents front the payment visit after visit. How much money did they spend, letting us skate as often as we desired?Trying to imagine that number is daunting, and has caused this year-old desire to fade. It has become evident that my friends and I no longer have the motivation to get us all to the rink. Though we have made a few plans to go skating this season already, they were always dropped. No one has had the motivation to get us all there, make the effort and pay the money.Though known to be a very affluent neighborhood, there are a wide range of incomes and lifestyles among Santa Monica residents. Unfortunately, businesses only seem to be catering to those who are able to afford many extra luxuries. During the holidays, this can be very upsetting for many families and children. Though many activities offered are perfect for these children, the prices make it near impossible for many to enjoy them.Santa Monica Place offers pictures with Santa, and the majority of children walking by would jump for joy upon seeing him sitting by the extravagant christmas tree. Almost any parent would be thrilled to see their child so spirited and in want of a photo - until they see the sign noting the 40 dollar price (for just the standard package). Pictures (of a little kid!), something you can take on your phone for free, cost 40 dollars. If you were to ask me how much pictures with Santa should cost I would say 5 dollars at the most. If you were to have asked me how much pictures with Santa would cost in Santa Monica, I would have guessed 20 dollars, thinking that to be ridiculous. That’s only half of the cheapest package!So, why is Santa Monica laughably overpriced? Simply because, a large portion of the population can afford it. However, for those who can pay for these experiences, there are also those who can’t. And it’s completely unfair for the city to be stripping the holiday joy from people who deserve to enjoy the festivities just as much as anyone else.

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