How to Get the Perfect Picture with Santa

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SantaMost of us have them – totally awesome pictures of ourselves with Santa Claus at different stages of our physical and emotional development.

 Probably the best mall Santa ever.
Probably the best mall Santa ever.

Like all great traditions, why would we not want to pass this wonderful holiday custom down to our child(ren)? There is really no right or wrong way to get great pictures of your kid(s) with Santa, but, as an authority on the subject, I thought I would offer a little expert advice. (You’re welcome.)

Here is my easy to follow, 15-step-plan to get the most out of your Santa visit:

  1. Don’t even think about getting photos of your just turned one-year-old on Santa’s lap until you’re at work on December 23rd.
  2. Head to the local mall with very little to occupy yourself or your child because who else would wait till this late in the game to get photos with Santa? This is going to be an in-and-out operation.
  3. Proceed straight to the North Pole upon entering the mall and casually stroll up to the end of an even shorter than expected line.
  4. Note his disbelief in being put in this situation. Also note the buzzer thing.
    Note his disbelief in being put in this situation. Also note the buzzer thing.

    Give your name to an elf with a clipboard, who will then hand you a buzzer thing and tell you that it will be about 3 and ½ hours until you can expect your buzzer thing to call you back.

  5. Shake off the shock and decide to make the most of it by buying a coat you don’t really need but will end up wearing for the next five years and counting.
  6. Sit and stare at your baby and question if this is worth it. You could be home watching Heat Miser dancing around in a sparkly red outfit right about now.
  7. Buy a humming elf named Everett from Hallmark.
  8. Silently question where you went wrong and vow NEVER to wait until the day before Christmas Eve to do something this idiotic ever again.
  9. Realize that it’s been 3 and ½ hours since you last had contact with any member of the Santa delegation.
  10. Start to lose all hope and begin to despair.
  11. Catch a glimpse of a flashing red light and hear a distinct buzzing sound – jackpot! You are finally being summoned to line up for Santa’s lap!
  12. Worry about how your past-his-bedtime-child is going to handle sitting on, and making small talk with, a bearded stranger while mom hangs out with an elf.
  13. Hang out with an elf while fate takes its course.
  14. Collect perplexed baby, coloring book, and candy cane from the jolly old elf. Tell baby that he just had an unforgettable experience and that he was such a good boy. *Kiss*
  15. Pay an astronomical fee for your better than anticipated photos.

There you have it, the key to a perfect visit with Santa. Not every step has to be followed to the letter, but you can’t argue with the results.

The final product! Worth it? Absolutely!
The final product. Worth it? Absolutely!

This is a pretty fool-proof plan, but if you feel that you have any additional tips to share with me and our readers, please comment below. We’d love to hear them!

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Lisa Springer
I am a native Cincinnatian, born and raised on the West Side and currently settled across the river in Northern Kentucky. I’m a former Highlander, Bearcat, Falcon, and Fulbright Scholar. My greatest challenge hitherto is the one I love the most: being a Mom to an energetic eight-year-old boy. When not working full-time at one of the city’s great hospitals, I’m trying to fit in all there is to do in this wonderful city – and there is certainly A LOT to do! As one who loves to read, I am an advocate for the public library and go multiple times a week. You can often find me at Music Hall enjoying the ballet, opera, and orchestra. I am an introvert, a bit of a foodie, an NPR listener, a pessimist who likes to think she’s a realist, a middle child, an ex-wife and amicable co-parent, a fiancée, and much, much more. I feel lucky to have grown up in Cincinnati and to be raising my own child in this wonderful city.

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