Bad Santa photos

You’ve been waiting to take your children to see Santa Claus, so they can sit on his lap, talk about what they want for Christmas, and snap a perfect holiday picture. Unfortunately, reality isn’t always picture-perfect and the results can be less than spectacular. You may find that your own bad Santa photo becomes a treasured part of your holiday memories, like these families did.

Violet, Aiden and Raelene

Violet, Aiden and Ralene, children of Traci from New Jersey

This was last year’s picture of the "big" kids. As you can see Aiden got over his fear of Santa and now adores him, but Raelene on the other hand... not so much! She was totally stoked to go see him and talk to him up until the time I put her on his lap — it was all downhill from there. Violet, she just looked angry that she even had to be there, but eventually talked to him after the picture was taken.

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Graysen and Mason

Graysen and Mason, children of Nicole from Mississippi

This is a good example of all of our holiday character pictures. My daughter and niece talked a good game in the 30-minute line wait, but the minute they sat down, mass hysteria ensued.

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Carter and Alexa

Carter and Alexa, twins of Chantelle from Alberta

I knew going up that they might cry so I said to the lady, “Whatever happens, just take the photo.” She was like, “OK!” And this is how it turned out. My husband handed one child off and I handed off the other one. She asked if she could take another one if they settle down but I knew that was never going to happen.

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Emily

Emily, daughter of Stacy from Texas

We were so excited to take our 1-year-old baby girl to see Santa a few years ago. Sadly, all did not go as planned. She was upset, and Santa was less than amused.

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Maddie

Maddie, daughter of Angela from Missouri

I'd heard that there was a free photo with Santa at Walgreens, so I took the kids. The guy walks out with a beard as flat as a pancake, complete with a broken strap. His dark hair poked out. They were having technical difficulties with the backdrop, so there wasn't one. Maddie was as stiff as a board and wouldn't look in his direction.

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Summer and Meriel

Summer and Meriel, daughters of Carrie from Connecticut

No one was freaking out, but Meriel was scared out of her mind!

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Odin and Talina

Odin and Talina, children of Lindsay from Canada

Talina was 19 months old, and super excited about meeting Santa. Until she sat down.

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AJ and McKaelen

AJ and McKaelen, children of Stephanie from Arizona

It was McKaelen's second time visiting Santa — she was about 18 months old and AJ was a little over 3 years old. She definitely did not want to be there. The camera lady kept trying to make McKaelen smile and I just said, "Just take the darn picture!" I didn't care if she smiled or not, and every Christmas season I take this picture out and laugh and laugh remembering that day. The kids are now 15 and 13 and their younger brother Luke is 11. We still sometimes go and sit on Santa's lap!

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Christopher

Christopher, son of Tara from North Carolina

This is Christopher at 17 months old, on the reindeer, because he hates Santa. Still does, except for the getting presents part.

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Aiden

Aiden, son of Traci from New Jersey

This was Aiden's second Christmas. He was about 16 months old here. He was totally stoked about going to visit Santa, until the little girl that was in front of us started screaming and crying when she had to sit on Santa’s lap. After Aiden witnessed her meltdown and saw Santa up close he wanted nothing to do with him.

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Austin

Austin, son of Cathy from Texas

Austin was only interested in Santa until he sat down, then he was ready to hop back off!

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Cooper and Aiden

Cooper and Aiden, sons of Jo from Oregon

Here are my boys in 2010 with their grandparents. They are so thrilled.

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Harper

Harper, daughter of Lisa from Illinois

Harper and Santa didn’t have a spectacular first meeting. A year later… still no joy for the Harps. And yes, I laughed again.

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Madison and Mikey

Madison and Mikey, children of Lisa from Ohio

Mikey had a nice chat about Rudolph with Santa. Madison had other thoughts.

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Hayden and Katelyn

Hayden and Katelyn, children of Alisha from Florida

The outfit Hayden has on was one I made because he begged for a Santa costume. He wore it almost every day that year. Hayden had to wear his costume and loved Santa; and poor Katelyn, well she hated it.

More Christmas family fun

Family Christmas movies to bring the holiday spirit
Ideas for your own Elf on a Shelf
Creative Christmas card display ideas