For many families who celebrate Christmas, taking the kids to get photos with Santa is a yearly holiday tradition. You might be excited to start it with your little one, but you might also be feeling a little hesitant at the thought of how they might react. I get it. Babies can be very unpredictable, especially in new circumstances.
If you’re doing Santa photos for the first time, it helps to be a little prepared. You might still end up with the classic crying on Santa’s lap photo, but you can set yourself up for a better chance of success with a little prep work.
How To Prepare For The First Santa Photos
Our first photos with Santa actually ended up coming out great – so great that I used them for our holiday cards that year – but it definitely didn’t start out that way. My son, who was 1 at the time, initially refused to even get near the man. The first round of photos shows him mid-meltdown, scrambling to get away, and clinging to me while looking back at Santa with disgust. In retrospect, I probably could have saved us all a little drama and done a better job at preparing for the experience.
Babies in general are not as excited about the prospect of taking photos with Santa as we are. We see our adorable littles experiencing a beloved Christmas tradition, but they see a complete and rather ridiculous-looking stranger with way too much facial hair. There is a lot of uncertainty in how they will react to that, much of which we have little control over. Fortunately, there are some things we can predict and plan for, which may help to make things go a little smoother.
Make an appointment
Before you go, check to see if the location where you want to take your photos requires an appointment. I was surprised to learn that many places do. Don’t just walk in there and hope for the best – you run the risk of getting all dressed up for nothing if you get turned away.
Respect the schedule
Try to avoid taking Santa photos with a tired, hungry baby – it likely won’t work out for anyone. Make sure they are rested and well-fed. You know your baby’s schedule best, so try to go in between naps and feedings for the best outcome.
Look online for inspiration
Look at pictures online to get ideas for your vision of how you want things to turn out. You can look at different outfits, props, and poses with Santa. You can even try to find some information about the location you’re going to so you get a better idea of how to plan.
Organize your outfits in advance
Christmas is a very busy time, which means all the matching holiday outfits sell out fast. I made the mistake of waiting too late to get our clothes together and ultimately had to settle for something that wasn’t exactly my first choice. It still worked out, but scrambling for matching clothes at the last minute added another layer of hassle I could have done without.
Early exposure to Santa helps
It might be a good idea to read books about Santa, watch videos or movies, or show your baby pictures in the weeks before the photo session. Explain who Santa is and talk him up so they start to understand just who this guy is and why he’s such a big deal. If you have the time, you can even go in person to let your baby see Santa in the flesh and scout out the scene before the actual appointment. The first real up-close intro will probably still be a little shocking for your baby, but at least there will be some familiarity beforehand.
Don’t rush things
Your baby will probably need a little time to warm up to Santa in person. With our son’s first photos, I made the mistake of immediately handing him off to Santa at the very beginning. The tears that ensued! We had to walk around the whole store to calm him down before we tried again. The second time, I sat next to Santa and kept him on my lap, which seemed to make him a little less afraid. I gradually moved him closer and closer and finally eased him onto Santa’s lap, making sure to keep a hand on him the whole time. He wasn’t exactly smiling, but he didn’t burst into tears either. As far as first Santa pictures go, that’s a success!
Be flexible and realistic
When it comes to photos with Santa, the best piece of advice I can give is to plan for the best but expect the worst. Just because you’ve prepared doesn’t mean you’ll be successful 100% of the time, but it does increase your chances and makes you better at handling the curveballs your baby throws at you. Remember, they are probably a little scared, so be patient and kind. Focus on the experience and try to make it fun without putting too much pressure on yourself or your baby for the perfect picture.
Don’t fear the meltdown
If your baby has a meltdown, it’s okay – embrace the crying Santa photos. They are a Christmas tradition in their own right. Part of being a mom is just accepting that sometimes, you have to go with the flow. Even if the photos never make it past your phone and out into the world, it’s a memory you’ve made with your baby that you’ll both look back on. Besides, there’s always next year.
Whether it’s for the yearly holiday card, social media sharing, or the family photo wall, Santa pictures are a Christmas tradition. If this is your first time taking your baby to get photos with Santa, it may help to do a little prep. You might get a great photo – or you might not – but don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make it perfect. The holidays can already be a stressful time as it, so let the focus be on creating a lasting memory and having fun.
