[LisaCA]

hi guys,

I need expert mom and dad advice. Since we are new parents, we have no clue about the santa in the mall thing. Is there a best time to take little ones and is there a time that is the worst? Up to now we just ignored the santa (except the few times I took my picture on his lap:-), but since grandparents will soon start screaming for the santa photos, it is a "must do" this year (and every year for the next 8 or so years I suspect). Some advice about the dos and don'ts of santa visits would be nice-thanks!

LisaCA

[KSAB]

Hi Lisa
My son is 4 yrs old and at age 2 and 3 he cried a little bit, but
he did take a picture this year he did good. I took him
first thing in the morning when Santa first opens he did
not have to wait in line and he didn't see alot of kids
crying. It was really fun this year he actually told Santa what
he wantec for Christmas compared to before he would just
look at Santa good luck.

KSAB

[rtsmom]

The best advice I can offer is do not force your baby/child to sit on Santa's lap, if it causes them anxiety. Sometimes I just want to shake parents that I see engaging in this ritual. If your kid is into, great. If they're not, well then please seriously consider subjecting the grandparents to living without their photo rather than subjecting your child to acute stranger anxiety. I'll bet the grandparents are better equipped to handle it. :-)

Last year I took our son to visit Santa. He stood in front of Santa and answered some questions, but gave no indication that he was interested in sitting on that particular stranger's lap and so we didn't bother with that part. Before leaving Santa looked me in the eye, winked, and said, "Now that's the way to handle it." The visitors before us had been twin boys (approx. 3 years old). One was dazed and stunned (sitting expressionless) and the other was completely freaking out. The parents thought is was cute to have a photo of their child screaming bloody murder on Santa's lap. The vibe I got from Santa was that he wasn't impressed.

So, until your child can truly understand the ritual of sitting on Santa's lap and explaining what they'd like for Christmas, I don't recommend it. May sound humbuggish, but the process is supposed to be for the kids, not for the grandparents.

[BrandyHagz]

I’m guessing Monday Mornings would be the best time…its not Friday (payday madness) and its not the afternoon (where everyone wants to get a picture)…so I think Monday would be your best bet for not having to stand in line.

Try getting there like ten minutes before the Mall opens (if Santa is there first thing in the AM), so you can get the car parked, baby gear situated and Santa located by about the time he is opening.

You should be able to call your local Mall’s info desk for Santa hours…

Oh, and hint…she most likely wont be to happy about the jolly old fat man and his synthetic white beard…so take her very favorite toy (something flashy that will get her attention) so you have at least a 50% chance at getting a smiling (or at least not screaming) picture

Good luck…its worth it!

[tb1braswell]

LisaCA,
My daughter and I were at the mall earlier this week, Tuesday, to buy her Christmas outfit. As I pushed her through the mall in her stroller she was staring wide eyed at all the lights, too cute. We passed the Santa picture station just as Santa was being escorted back from his lunch break. There were very few people in line so I quickly changed her into her new clothes and in two minutes I was placing her in Santa's arms. (I did mention to Santa that we didn't need a thing this year as we had everything we have dreamed, wished and prayed for in our 7 week old baby girl.) Santa smiled and said, "yes, I see that, but she's been given a wonderful Christmas gift, too."

Doing the Santa thing may be a chore to some parents, but my husband and I have waited for a family so long to share these traditions with. After I picked up her pictures and started back down the mall I began thinking about how long we have wanted to do this and the tears wouldn't stop.

Enjoy taking your little one to see Santa and may you all have a wonderful first Christmas Holiday together.

Theresa

[LisaCA]

thanks guys!

we ran into santa last night when we went grocery shopping, and dd was not impressed. She just looked at him then looked away and watched the gospel singers:-). We'll see how she does with the lap thing. She's starting to have some stranger/separation anxiety, so who knows how she'll react? I always thought it was funny that we tell kids not to talk to strangers but then stick them on some strange guys' lap. If she's not up to it we'll just walk away:-).

we did buy this silly xmas outfit (looks like small santa's helper outfit) and took photos. If she's up to it we'll get photos of her on santa's lap in that silly outfit. If not, the outfit is funny enough on its own. Since Christiane is 5 months old, I think she'll do okay (fingers crossed).

I like the idea of the mornings, esp. monday mornings.Christiane is usually at her best in the a.m. so maybe we'll give it a try in a couple of weeks when dh has time off. Thanks for the tips,

LisaCA

[michelec]

Lisa-

She might be too old for this, but I've seen some cute infant pictures of the babies asleep on Santa's lap and him pretending to read a book or be asleep with babe in arms. Again, if she is like my 4 four month old, he always wakes up when there is a chance of something exciting happening.

Our first Christmas with our now 2 1/2 year old was a breeze. She was fine with sitting with him. Last year at 18 months. She was a bit anxious so we had a family photo with Santa. My husband and I squatted in front of him and held her in our laps. That might be something to try as well.

Good luck!! Maybe after the holidays we'll have a thread of all the Santa pics.

Take care, Michele

[mommytobug]

YOu mentioned cute pics..........we want to see...................hey everyone else post their Santa pics also!!!!!!!!!!

[Maria K]

My 2 1/2 yo nephew *asked* to be taken to see Santa this last week. So his mom took him and he patiently waited in line and then went up and jumped into Santa's lap, told Santa that he wanted a Deisel #10 & a Murdoch (from Thomas the tank engine - of which he is OBSESSED). As they walked away from Santa he turned to his mom and said "he was nice."

- Maria

[Support2Adopt]

One tradition we started was to have the whole family be in the Santa picture each year. This way if one of our kids wasn't comfortable sitting on Santa's lap, either we could hold them or they could stand by us.
JJ

[sandymomof2]

I think this is one of my favorite Santa pictures ever!
Of course, I am a bit biased!!

Our daughter was born in Minnesota Dec 8 last year.
We went to the Mall of America while waiting for ICPC
to clear, when Krista was 9 days old and still under
6 lbs. From what I heard, this Santa is there every
year, and spends lots of time with each family. Our
then 2.5 year old did great with him as well!

Today we tried to visit Santa at my friend's real
estate office open house, and we have a great
picture of Krista screaming while hanging on to
dh. She'll be one on Wednesday (how time
flies!!) Our older daughter was also afraid of Santa
when she was 1.5 but was fine the following year.

Can't wait to see more Santa pictures!!

[mommytobug]

That picture is worth gold..................you are so blessed. I can remember our first...........ohhhh time flies.

[LisaCA]

great photo! I hope to find a santa that looks that traditional:-)

LisaCA

[sugarbabysmommy]

Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening around dinner time. I went on a Monday morning and so did everyone else! I talked with the photo gals and they said early evening around six-ish midweek was better. After waiting in line and thinking Santa was nice form a distance, my dear one just screamed and held on to me for dear life when we got near Santa. That will be our first and last attempt at a Santa picture.

[blueyes113]

Sandy, that picture is precious! What a wonderful memory.

We went on a Santa train ride today and dd LOVED Santa Claus! Now if I could just get her to keep looking at the camera.........
Next stop: Santa at the mall!