OK so I’m going to come right out and say it, when it comes to Santa Photos I’m a bit of a scaredy cat. I can’t stand the thought of getting my kids all prettied up, taking them the 100km to our nearest Santa Photo opportunity at Myer and have them freak out or not smile or the worst for me (because I don’t like having my photo taken when I’m stressed out because my children won’t behave) I actually have to get into the photo myself. So because I’m a scaredy cat I’ve never taken my kids the 100km to even attempt a Santa Photo.
To make up for it though each year we go to the local village Christmas party where the same Santa has been handing out presents for about 15 years! He’s a skinny Santa with a bit of padding and a very daggy Santa suit. He arrives each year on the local Fire Truck with lights and sirens going. He rings his bell, sits down next to the tree and begins to hand out presents (parent provided of course). The first year we went with Muddy Preschooler we didn’t even do the present thing, let alone a photo.
The next year we did a present but she refused to even sit next to Santa to get it, clinging desperately to Muddy Hubby.
Our Muddy Pixie on the other hand didn’t care whose knee she was sitting on, she just had eyes for the present.
Then in 2009 Muddy Preschooler and Muddy Pixie were brave enough to walk up to Santa and get their present but wouldn’t sit on his lap. While Muddy Puzzler was the one who only had eyes for the present.
2010 was a better year for us, EXCEPT for the fact that Muddy Hubby and I had to sit in the actual photo, which wouldn’t have been so bad except that Santa I discovered likes to snuggle up to the Mums more than the kids. I’m thinking Santa may not be our Village Santa for too much longer.
This year we had another party to go to, so we didn’t make it to the Village Christmas Party to see Santa, so we didn’t have to sit encourage and cajole the kids to go up to Santa, let alone sit in the photo. The way I figure it, when they’re ready to go and talk to Santa when we walk past him at the shops or not hide behind my legs when he’s around they’ll be ready to go and have the Santa Photo experience!
What do you do about Santa photos?
Do you have to get in them too?
Are they a tradition in your house?
Oh hahahaha, that is hilarious about the frisky Santa ;o)
I’m with you MFW, don’t care much for the Santa photo. Have only ever attempted it once, for Angus’ 1st Christmas and he hated it… and I was in the photo, not what I’d call a raging success ;o)
Love your pics xoxo
I’ve never once taken my children to have a photo with Santa. Cam I a terrible parent? We didn’t do it as kids. Probably for the same reason as you, we lived on a farm and it wasn’t worth the trip. So it is not a memory or tradition from my childhood and therefore didn’t ever feel the need.
Merry Christmas!