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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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
The dearest photo with Santa ever. They got lucky and met the real Santa Claus instead of one of his helpers.
All I want for christmas... is for the kid to go to sleep. And for ME to sleep. A full. Four. Hours.
I Took My Dog To Take A Christmas Picture With Santa And She Ate Him
SO excited to see Santa!! I’ve been good.. really, honestly, truly! Ask my mom and dad!! Haven’t I been good!! Sooooo gooooood Santa. What are you going to bring me this year? I just love your presents. The toys, bones, rawhide, bouncy balls, fancy collars!! Slurp, slurp, slurp! I love you Santa!!!
My 92 Year Old Grandma Said She's Never Been To See Santa. Change Of Plans This Christmas
After this she might be seeing Santa more often than once a year! So lovely! 😊
Such lovely photos!!! She precious and so is he! Merry Christmas Grandma and Santa! Who knows- maybe she really is (or will be) Mrs. Santa!
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.
My Santa Doesn’t Age (1997-2017)
So, My Dog Met Santa Claus
"They want me to smile. I don't know how to smile. Wait... can't blink for the camera..."
Took The Kids To Meet Santa Yesterday And, As You Can See, It Went Amazing
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
I don't think all kids are forced to. Yeah some kids don't like it but others don't mind. 😉
Load More Replies...when i was 7 i yelled at the santa " your a fake a*s man!! " and started crying and screaming lol i got grounded for 2 weeks my mom had to apologize for my " bad behaivior"
Every year as a child, I would watch everyone else line up for Santa, and be happy for them. But sit on his lap, myself? nope, I was too shy. "I'm sure santa is very busy!" I'd say. Santa has a hard job!
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.
My Friend Brought Her Dog To See Santa Recently
This makes me sad. My parents took both of their goldies to see Santa Paws every years for 13 years. It was the same guy for all 13 years and he came to know our dogs by name. One of our goldies passed in May. My parents made their annual trip to Santa two weeks ago. When my parents walked up with just one dog Santa instantly became somber. No one had to say the other had passed. He just knew. My mom said he was genuinely sadden by the news. He's definitely a man who plays Santa because he truly enjoys it.
My Favorite Shot From Our Christmas Shoot This Year
Then you weren't paying attention when your parents were driving. :P
Load More Replies...Back to the hallways of the "Overlook Hotel" with them
She probably didn't have any idea what she was doing, and that's why it was funny. All of my kids did that at some point and had no idea that it was a rude gesture. Every time, we would die laughing (desperately trying to hide our laughter so we wouldn't encourage the behavior), and then we taught them not to do it again.
Off topic: I misread your username and thought it said “I like pants”. Now I see it is about plants, but I really hope you also like pants #nakedgardener
Load More Replies...I love the way the other sister looks ... she has this expression, when she thinks that her sister is doin' somethin' really cool and she admires her for that 8-)
the other one's face tho "Yes! I'm getting all the Christmas presents this year!"
"he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice"... yeah, okay, but don't make it too obvious
My Mom Said "Damn" In Front Of Santa. This Was The Reaction
lol above this is the little girl flipping Santa off
Load More Replies...you know, once at a Santa greeting like this, he said no to a dora car, I have, and never will visit Santa agin
Are they on a date or something looks cosy on the couch lol !
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.
Holiday Shopping Can Put A Smile On Even The Most Kvlt Person In Your Life! What’s Your Favorite Holiday Tradition?
I want to be best friends with these two. We can travel the world, giving presents to people, wearing makeup and getting hearing loss together.
This is awesome! He saw a way to make a connection with her and put a smile on her face. Love it!
I agree! I gotta admit, this one gave me a happy tear :-)
Load More Replies...That sleigh is amazing! One of the best backdrops for a Santa display I've ever seen.
I have a group of friends that does themed Santa Pictures, they did "goth" one time and the year I joined in we did zombie pictures with Santa.
Got A Pic With Santa... He Said I Was Too Big... We Compromised...
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...
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.
Mommy's Lil Monster Meets Santa & Krampus
This is too cute! My 2 year old daughter has the same Misfits shirt. But on a more important note.... Where in the heck did this person get the Krampus picture taken? So awesome!
Where can I find a krampus to sit my (too old) kids on?????
Another Year, Another Photo With Santa
Wait is that the same non ageing Santa from the other post? O...m...g....He's posing as one of his own helpers
Load More Replies...Santa is having fun too. No coal in their stockings for these creative young guys
My Friends And I Got Our Picture Taken With Santa
I spit my tea across the room and received a WTF look from my dog.
Load More Replies...We Dressed Up Our 18 Month Old Daughter To See Santa. She Was Not Pleased
She was notified to be seen wearing the same outfit. Poor baby fashionista.
My Dad Is The Macy's Santa In Seattle. Today He Got To Meet A Legend!
My Dad Was Santa At Our Local Petsmart, Was Not Expecting This
omg that's adorable. i have a tortoise and i would totally bring her to to something like that if she want hibernating
Hey, why not? There's a large therapy turtle in our therapy pet group, so why not a pic with Santa, too?
My sister has one of those giant tortoises. They're totally chill. Not scary at all.
This Woman Took Her Cats To A Department Store To Visit Santa And As You Can See It Went Quite Well
Why would you do this to your cats? I know that, if I want to stay alive, I will never risk this!
Sometimes you have cats that are totally mellow and cool with this kind of thing until suddenly they aren't.
Load More Replies...What fool would take a cat, or multiple cats to see Santa? Idiot.
My Nephew Meeting Santa For The First Time
lmao hes literally like " who the f is this man , you tell me not to talk to strangers and now your putting me by a strange old man
Load More Replies...How Many Kids Do You See?
Ever so often families have a child who's upside down or has a different perspective.
I love these types of photos! They remind me of what life actually is.
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.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
That is a mom with one great sense of humor! Looks like she's gonna need it.
Mom and Santa both have great senses of humor. Love their enjoyment of the situation.
Perfect smile on Santa, no matter what. As someone who works in customer service, I appreciate that. XD It's not easy.
34 Years Photos With Santa - Annual Tradition
I like that the little kids in 2103 appear to be relaxed. Much better idea.
Mmh, yes, 2103, with the cyborgs and flying cars/jk
Load More Replies...Oh yes that flip phone quality. How did it get worse as technology should have advanced??
Past Five Years Of Mall Santa Photos With My Brothers
Ho Ho Ho!
LOL, this is random but once I made a machete for Halloween
Load More Replies...Santa Looking Like Hes Gonna Risk It All
He's behaving. Eyes where they should be. Mom and baby both stunning.
the baby is probably thinking ¨ this guy breaks into my house on december 24-25 and im starting to think i need to contract some kind of home security thing so i can live a happy life
My Friend Is Santa At Bass Pro (Among Other Places). He Had An Unexpected Visitor
I don't understand why we haven't yet got a Deadpool Christmas Special
My 3 Month Old Son With A Look Of Shock Only He Could Pull Off At Being Sat On Santa’s Lap
Santa just whispered to him that he was hiring some additional elves. XD
hes seen everything on the nice/naughty list. he knows hes on the naughty list too
Santa just whispered to him that he was hiring sime additional elves.
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
This Is My 18 Month Old Daughter Shaylee Michelle! As You Can Tell, She Loves Santa
Well I "love" her hairstyle SO SIT DOWN AND GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN LITTLE LADY
Exactly. Not funny Not kind, and why the #$%^ would you do this to your kid AND then take a photo so you can humiliate her later ???
Load More Replies...Poor Mall Santa Didn't Know How To React To This
He did what he always does with crying kids. He sat back, smiled, and thought of gin.
Santa Let Me Sit On His Lap. All 450lbs Of Me
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
Oh, Yeah! This Is The Year They Will Love Santa! I Can’t Wait
The one in the back is just looking at her sister like "Michelle you are SUCH an embarrassment!" Loll
It wasn't Santa I was afraid of, it was wondering if I'd really been good or was I lying.
I Like Santa
A calendar picture for December from a youth sax-playing and swimming youth-group ?
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?
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...i don't think its funny to see sacred and crying kids when by some stranger that is "santa"
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.
I believe in Santa. Loved these so much. The families and friends who get into it are amazing.
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!~
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?
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...i don't think its funny to see sacred and crying kids when by some stranger that is "santa"
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.
I believe in Santa. Loved these so much. The families and friends who get into it are amazing.
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!~
