LAYTON — Some military families in Utah welcomed in the holiday season in a special way.

They gathered at a Christmas party in Layton on Sunday to meet Santa Claus and enjoy cookies, part of an effort to make this season a little brighter for them.

“We love hosting this event,” said Glady Larsen, marketing and community engagement manager at Layton Hills Mall, where the event took place.

Santa Claus waves during a party Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, for military families in Utah. (Istvan Bartos, KSL TV)

The party was sponsored by Blue Star Families, a nonprofit organization that connects military families and helps them create communities of support.

“[Our military families] give so much to us all year round, and this is just a little token of our appreciation to them for their sacrifice

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