Santa Clauss Pictures

Don't feel bad - I don't have a single picture of my girls with Santa! They were just too freaked out. I don't feel like I'm missing anything. We have lots of cute Christmas pics, taken at our house. Funny, my girls are 10 and 12 now, and the other day I jokingly asked if they were finally ready to get a picture with Santa. They said, "No way! He's creepy!!" They also have always called him "Mall Santa" - even when they were little.

I never force my kids to sit on Santas lap. We teach children about strangers then encourage them to sit on an old mans lap that they don't know? if i was a kid i would be freaked out. Just my opinion

I don't have any advice for this year, other than you holding him. Most 14 month olds are not comfortable with strangers in general, let alone a big guy with a huge beard and hat and weird outfit. For my son's first Christmas, he was around 8 months old and was happy to sit on Santa's lap, he leaned back and made himself comfy. The next year, at 1.5 he was not going to have anything to do with him. This year, at 2 and a half, we got lots of Santa books and even watched a couple Christmas movies (he loved Rudolph) in the week before going. We talked it way up and when the time came, he not only sat on Santa's lap, but also told him what he wanted for Christmas. He's a pretty shy kid, so talking to a stranger was a big deal for him. Despite his excitement, the picture didn't come out very well, he's got a weird look on his face. What matters is the memories, we'll know this year he was psyched to see Santa, even if the picture doesn't show it. There are so many cute holiday photo ops out there, get creative and find one that is fun for your little guy! He's got years of Santa pics ahead of him.

My favourite Santa pics are the ones where the kids are crying! It's a funny memory.

I have an awesome photo of my daughter at 1.5 years old sitting on Santa's lap screaming. I just told the lady "take the picture" and she did. It's a classic.

Skip the Santa pics if he's afraid. Instead set your own tradition for taking pictures. Have his pose every year in front of your tree after it's decorated. Or snap away in front of a nice display at the mall. My kids were hit or miss when they were really little when it came to Santa. Mostly they were ok because their father has a full beard but there were a couple times when they didn't even want to get close to Santa. Honestly I think we spend more time winging it with kids than having things work out exactly as planned.

When you look back at that picture 10 years from now you will both laugh. Next year just let him take the lead, and if he does not feel he wants to see santa, just skip it.

A couple of weeks ago I was in charge of a small festival. We had Santa there, he was completely awesome. The photographer donated her time and gave permission for people to make their own copies of these photos.

The best part, she allowed people to have as many poses as they wanted. This helped SO much. Sometimes the moms were there with the child and Santa.. Or the whole family, or all siblings.. There was only 1 child that just could not do it. The little boy was just too afraid of the whole Santa thing.. So the rest of the family posed and I held his hand.. Poor dear, he was just terrified, you could ee it in his face,

Our daughter hated the whole Santa thing. The scary white beard with tiny eyes.. She said he "looked scary".

I feel like we need to honor our childrens feelings with these things. They need to be able to have their parents listen to them.

My DD's Santa pictures at 18m and 2.5yo pictures were taken with me holding her, and both of us next to Santa.

This year, (3.5yo) she was completely comfortable sitting with him and getting her pic taken.

Honestly, if you want a good picture with just your son and Santa next year, you can try to the mall Santa first... But if he is not comfortable, I would look up a local photographer. A lot of times, they hold "mini sessions" with Santa, with special prices around Christmas. Your son will be less overwhelmed, and you will have a chance to let him see and get used to the giant, hairy, scary stranger dressed in really bright clothes, instead of being expected to be thrust onto his lap and expected to just take it calmly. (I would compare it to being suddenly pulled out of your car by a big, hairy stereotypical biker. Lol.) You will be in a more relaxed setting, and your pictures would be a higher quality.

Although pictures with Santa are very cute for memories, it is also possible to get other Christmas pictures (e.g.in front of a Christmas tree or in a Christmas outfit). If a child is not on board with sitting on Santa's lap, getting a nice picture might be more hassle/stress than its worth. Before I had kids of my own, I volunteered to help out with the library's pictures with Santa one year. I felt awful every time a crying kid was forced to sit on Santa's lap just for the sake of getting a picture. So as a mom it has always been my rule not to make my kids sit with Santa unless they want to. I had to wait until my oldest was 5 before I got a picture with Santa. Before that, she was terrified and wanted to see him from a distance only. So yes I had to wait for my pictures, but at least I was not disappointed every year by a failed photo attempt. My advice is to try each year but don't be upset if it doesn't work out. Some kids love to sit on Santa's lap and talk to him and some would prefer he just leave presents under the tree.

For this year (or next) you could also look around for different venues where they have Santa meet and greets. Your son might be happier if there are fewer people around and there aren't as many distractions.

Good luck!

I'm really confused. Who "pushed you to make kids cry"? Nobody told you you have to take his picture with Santa. No one is intentionally making him cry or making you leave him on Santa's lap. If it doesn't work, you don't force it - you let him be happy and try another time. It's called taking charge of the situation. Jees!