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Going to meet Santa at the mall is a ritual that some love and some hate, but most bravely do it anyway at some point. To set your kids on Santa’s lap and get that adorable Christmas photo that you can put in your greeting cards to satisfy the grandparents, you have to stand in line with Christmas music on repeat and dozens of other families in the same situation while the kids are sick and tired of waiting (or literally sick.) But it’s probably nothing compared to what the job is like for Santa Claus himself.
Anyone who puts on a red velvet suit and plays the beloved role of Father Christmas must be a kind and patient soul indeed. You would have to be in order to spread Christmas magic to hundreds of kids in a row, including taming the ones who would rather be anywhere else than taking their Santa photos. But here are some situations that probably weren’t in the job description, from people bringing their four-legged children to sit on Santa’s lap, to grown-ups who just love Christmas so much that they keep coming back year after year.
See how real Santa performers deal with the unexpected in these funny Christmas photos, and upvote your favorites! While you're waiting for the big day, you can also look back on our lists of the best and worst Christmas decorations, and people whose Christmas fails weren't very merry.
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#1
While Waiting In Line To See Santa, This Baby Fell Asleep. When It Came Time For The Picture, Santa Told The Parents Not To Wake Him
#2
I Took My Dog To Take A Christmas Picture With Santa And She Ate Him
#3
My 92 Year Old Grandma Said She's Never Been To See Santa. Change Of Plans This Christmas
DforDorothy 4 years ago
After this she might be seeing Santa more often than once a year! So lovely! 😊
Some things never change. That's what some of these Santa performers must think when they get visitors who keep coming back even as they grow up. One pair of brothers has a whole slideshow of pictures with Santa over 30 years, eventually adding their own children to the picture!
Want to know another thing that never changes? A Canadian mall Santa who has been doing the job every Christmas season for 35 years says that although the types of presents that kids ask him for have changed with the introduction of more electronics, Legos are a classic that have stuck around.
#4
My Santa Doesn’t Age (1997-2017)
#5
So, My Dog Met Santa Claus
#6
Took The Kids To Meet Santa Yesterday And, As You Can See, It Went Amazing
Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago
Let's be real about the dynamic of "Santa photos"....we're forcing kids to sit on the lap of some old man that they don't know, and to be happy about it. When I was a kid, I HATED it.... Why on earth did the adults think this was "fun" for me, when 99% of the rest of the time, they were telling me to NOT talking to people i didn't know? Seriously. :o
Professional Santa performers—and, yes, they say the job requires somebody who can put on a show—who are really serious about their craft go to Santa training schools with whimsical names like "Northern Lights Santa Academy." There, they learn not only lore about the role and how to accurately talk about reindeer, but the business practicals of self-promotion and getting private bookings.
#7
My Friend Brought Her Dog To See Santa Recently
#8
My Favorite Shot From Our Christmas Shoot This Year
#9
My Mom Said "Damn" In Front Of Santa. This Was The Reaction
There's also increasing demand for not just Santa performers, but also Mrs. Claus, say women who have stepped into the role in recent years. Maybe soon you'll be able to choose which visitor from the North Pole you'll want to take your kids to visit.
#10
Holiday Shopping Can Put A Smile On Even The Most Kvlt Person In Your Life! What’s Your Favorite Holiday Tradition?
#11
Got A Pic With Santa... He Said I Was Too Big... We Compromised...
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago (edited)
I think Santa recognized the next Santa in him and had to do the required try out. You're next when he retires. You may start noticing your beard slowly turning grey, then white...
#12
My Son Started To Cry When He Saw Santa, So I Decided It'd Be A Good Idea If We All Joined To
Performers say that while playing Santa pays well, it takes a large investment at the start for a quality costume. And, of course, a great love for Christmas spirit and children, not to mention a philosophy of kindness and wisdom that follows them all year round.
#13
Mommy's Lil Monster Meets Santa & Krampus
#14
Another Year, Another Photo With Santa
#15
My Friends And I Got Our Picture Taken With Santa
#16
We Dressed Up Our 18 Month Old Daughter To See Santa. She Was Not Pleased
#17
My Dad Is The Macy's Santa In Seattle. Today He Got To Meet A Legend!
#18
My Dad Was Santa At Our Local Petsmart, Was Not Expecting This
#19
This Woman Took Her Cats To A Department Store To Visit Santa And As You Can See It Went Quite Well
Don Golosso 4 years ago
Why would you do this to your cats? I know that, if I want to stay alive, I will never risk this!
#20
My Nephew Meeting Santa For The First Time
#21
How Many Kids Do You See?
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
Ever so often families have a child who's upside down or has a different perspective.
#22
Nancy Reagan Sitting On Mr. T's Lap
Mr. T was a surprise guest at the first day of the press tour of the White House Christmas Decorations.
She was standing next to him and my dad (who was friends with Nancy) said "How about sitting on his lap?"She looked at her press secretary for approval then said "Sure!" and sat down.
#23
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
2WheelTravlr 4 years ago
That is a mom with one great sense of humor! Looks like she's gonna need it.
#24
34 Years Photos With Santa - Annual Tradition
#25
Past Five Years Of Mall Santa Photos With My Brothers
#26
Ho Ho Ho!
#27
Santa Looking Like Hes Gonna Risk It All
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
He's behaving. Eyes where they should be. Mom and baby both stunning.
#28
My Friend Is Santa At Bass Pro (Among Other Places). He Had An Unexpected Visitor
Calum Sanderson 4 years ago
I don't understand why we haven't yet got a Deadpool Christmas Special
#29
My 3 Month Old Son With A Look Of Shock Only He Could Pull Off At Being Sat On Santa’s Lap
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Gunilla Olsson 4 years ago
A lot of scared and crying children, what's so funny about that? I dont't like it at all. In my country we don't have that tradition. If you suddenly put a baby in a strangers lap then of course the baby will be scared and cry. Santa probably looks very creepy to a small child, with his big beard. Could someone please explain this to me?
Stephanie Blasyak 4 years ago
Yes, why not hold your child and take a picture next to Santa if they are scared and you want the picture that badly?
Load More Replies...
Athena Jordan 4 years ago
i don't think its funny to see sacred and crying kids when by some stranger that is "santa"
GeneralZod 4 years ago
My son was obsessed with Santa, even went dressed as him for Halloween two consecutive years. But he was also terrified of him. He closed fist slapped Santa once when he was three. Still regret not having the camera ready for that one.
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
I believe in Santa. Loved these so much. The families and friends who get into it are amazing.
Albert Ambrosia 4 years ago
For many yrs my brother played santa One year a lil Jewish girl came up and he asked her if she believed in Santa. She said no she was Jewish. So my brother asked her to tell him about Chanuka for the other kids to hear. A few kids later a lil boy sat on his lap and was asked do you believe in Santa, the poor boy was confused, and he said to my brother/Santa, well I am jewish, but he gave Santa his list. So my bro/Santa asked the ? and which holiday do you like better Christmas or Chanuka ...without hesitation, this boy will be a damn good politician....I like em both Santa!~
Gunilla Olsson 4 years ago
A lot of scared and crying children, what's so funny about that? I dont't like it at all. In my country we don't have that tradition. If you suddenly put a baby in a strangers lap then of course the baby will be scared and cry. Santa probably looks very creepy to a small child, with his big beard. Could someone please explain this to me?
Stephanie Blasyak 4 years ago
Yes, why not hold your child and take a picture next to Santa if they are scared and you want the picture that badly?
Load More Replies... Athena Jordan 4 years ago
i don't think its funny to see sacred and crying kids when by some stranger that is "santa"
GeneralZod 4 years ago
My son was obsessed with Santa, even went dressed as him for Halloween two consecutive years. But he was also terrified of him. He closed fist slapped Santa once when he was three. Still regret not having the camera ready for that one.
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
I believe in Santa. Loved these so much. The families and friends who get into it are amazing.
Albert Ambrosia 4 years ago
For many yrs my brother played santa One year a lil Jewish girl came up and he asked her if she believed in Santa. She said no she was Jewish. So my brother asked her to tell him about Chanuka for the other kids to hear. A few kids later a lil boy sat on his lap and was asked do you believe in Santa, the poor boy was confused, and he said to my brother/Santa, well I am jewish, but he gave Santa his list. So my bro/Santa asked the ? and which holiday do you like better Christmas or Chanuka ...without hesitation, this boy will be a damn good politician....I like em both Santa!~
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