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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

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

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#2

I Took My Dog To Take A Christmas Picture With Santa And She Ate Him

I Took My Dog To Take A Christmas Picture With Santa And She Ate Him

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#3

My 92 Year Old Grandma Said She's Never Been To See Santa. Change Of Plans This Christmas

My 92 Year Old Grandma Said She's Never Been To See Santa. Change Of Plans This Christmas

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DforDorothy
DforDorothy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After this she might be seeing Santa more often than once a year! So lovely! 😊

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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)

My Santa Doesn’t Age (1997-2017)

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#5

So, My Dog Met Santa Claus

So, My Dog Met Santa Claus

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#6

Took The Kids To Meet Santa Yesterday And, As You Can See, It Went Amazing

Took The Kids To Meet Santa Yesterday And, As You Can See, It Went Amazing

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Pseudo Puppy
Pseudo Puppy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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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

My Friend Brought Her Dog To See Santa Recently

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#8

My Favorite Shot From Our Christmas Shoot This Year

My Favorite Shot From Our Christmas Shoot This Year

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#9

My Mom Said "Damn" In Front Of Santa. This Was The Reaction

My Mom Said "Damn" In Front Of Santa. This Was The Reaction

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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.

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#10

Holiday Shopping Can Put A Smile On Even The Most Kvlt Person In Your Life! What’s Your Favorite Holiday Tradition?

Holiday Shopping Can Put A Smile On Even The Most Kvlt Person In Your Life! What’s Your Favorite Holiday Tradition?

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#11

Got A Pic With Santa... He Said I Was Too Big... We Compromised...

Got A Pic With Santa... He Said I Was Too Big... We Compromised...

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Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...

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#12

My Son Started To Cry When He Saw Santa, So I Decided It'd Be A Good Idea If We All Joined To

My Son Started To Cry When He Saw Santa, So I Decided It'd Be A Good Idea If We All Joined To

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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

Mommy's Lil Monster Meets Santa & Krampus

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#14

Another Year, Another Photo With Santa

Another Year, Another Photo With Santa

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#15

My Friends And I Got Our Picture Taken With Santa

My Friends And I Got Our Picture Taken With Santa

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#16

We Dressed Up Our 18 Month Old Daughter To See Santa. She Was Not Pleased

We Dressed Up Our 18 Month Old Daughter To See Santa. She Was Not Pleased

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#17

My Dad Is The Macy's Santa In Seattle. Today He Got To Meet A Legend!

My Dad Is The Macy's Santa In Seattle. Today He Got To Meet A Legend!

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#18

My Dad Was Santa At Our Local Petsmart, Was Not Expecting This

My Dad Was Santa At Our Local Petsmart, Was Not Expecting This

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#19

This Woman Took Her Cats To A Department Store To Visit Santa And As You Can See It Went Quite Well

This Woman Took Her Cats To A Department Store To Visit Santa And As You Can See It Went Quite Well

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Don Golosso
Don Golosso
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would you do this to your cats? I know that, if I want to stay alive, I will never risk this!

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#20

My Nephew Meeting Santa For The First Time

My Nephew Meeting Santa For The First Time

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#21

How Many Kids Do You See?

How Many Kids Do You See?

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Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever so often families have a child who's upside down or has a different perspective.

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#22

Nancy Reagan Sitting On Mr. T's Lap

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.

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#23

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

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2WheelTravlr
2WheelTravlr
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a mom with one great sense of humor! Looks like she's gonna need it.

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#24

34 Years Photos With Santa - Annual Tradition

34 Years Photos With Santa - Annual Tradition

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#25

Past Five Years Of Mall Santa Photos With My Brothers

Past Five Years Of Mall Santa Photos With My Brothers

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#26

Ho Ho Ho!

Ho Ho Ho!

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HorrorWeirdo
HorrorWeirdo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I legitimately LOVE this and wish I have friends like this...

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#27

Santa Looking Like Hes Gonna Risk It All

Santa Looking Like Hes Gonna Risk It All

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Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's behaving. Eyes where they should be. Mom and baby both stunning.

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#28

My Friend Is Santa At Bass Pro (Among Other Places). He Had An Unexpected Visitor

My Friend Is Santa At Bass Pro (Among Other Places). He Had An Unexpected Visitor

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Calum Sanderson
Calum Sanderson
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand why we haven't yet got a Deadpool Christmas Special

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#29

My 3 Month Old Son With A Look Of Shock Only He Could Pull Off At Being Sat On Santa’s Lap

My 3 Month Old Son With A Look Of Shock Only He Could Pull Off At Being Sat On Santa’s Lap

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glorytherainwing
glorytherainwing
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hes seen everything on the nice/naughty list. he knows hes on the naughty list too

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#30

My Mum Has Been Making Me Get A Santa Photo Every Year Since I Was Born. This Year I Had A Little Bit Of Fun With It

My Mum Has Been Making Me Get A Santa Photo Every Year Since I Was Born. This Year I Had A Little Bit Of Fun With It

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#31

This Is My 18 Month Old Daughter Shaylee Michelle! As You Can Tell, She Loves Santa

This Is My 18 Month Old Daughter Shaylee Michelle! As You Can Tell, She Loves Santa

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Calum Sanderson
Calum Sanderson
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well I "love" her hairstyle SO SIT DOWN AND GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN LITTLE LADY

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#32

Poor Mall Santa Didn't Know How To React To This

Poor Mall Santa Didn't Know How To React To This

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Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He did what he always does with crying kids. He sat back, smiled, and thought of gin.

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#33

Santa Let Me Sit On His Lap. All 450lbs Of Me

Santa Let Me Sit On His Lap. All 450lbs Of Me

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#34

Santa Was A Good Sport For Me And A Couple Other Mall Goths That Wanted To Take Ironic Pictures With Him. That Mean Mug Is Really The Icing On The Shame Cake Though

Santa Was A Good Sport For Me And A Couple Other Mall Goths That Wanted To Take Ironic Pictures With Him. That Mean Mug Is Really The Icing On The Shame Cake Though

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#35

Oh, Yeah! This Is The Year They Will Love Santa! I Can’t Wait

Oh, Yeah! This Is The Year They Will Love Santa! I Can’t Wait

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Tenay Douglas
Tenay Douglas
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The one in the back is just looking at her sister like "Michelle you are SUCH an embarrassment!" Loll

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#36

I Like Santa

I Like Santa

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