Taking your kids to meet Santa Clause can go one of two ways: they either love it and enjoy telling the old man what they want for Christmas…or they have a meltdown because they can’t handle the trauma of being handed over to a stranger dressed in red and white.
And it’s basically a crapshoot which way it’ll go.
Parents took to Twitter to let off some steam about this dreaded interaction that they’re all forced to go through at some point…
1. I just need this one photo…
'Tis the season to bribe your kids to take one freaking picture with the jolly mall Santa without losing their shit completely.
— Mommy Owl (@Mommy__Owl) December 4, 2016
2. That’s a good way to look at it.
I'm not the kind of mom who takes her kids to see Santa out of tradition, but more for the blackmail photos.
— OneFunnyMummy (@OneFunnyMummy) December 8, 2014
3. Intimidating the big man.
I can’t be the only one making the throat slashing sign at the mall Santa when their child asks for the newest iPhone.
— Jessie (@mommajessiec) December 3, 2019
4. That’s pretty steep.
$28 to take a picture with Santa at the mall? Now I know how he can afford all the presents and how he can pay all those elves.
— John Willey (@DaddysinCharge) December 22, 2016
5. I need a favor.
I wish this mall Santa would do me a solid and tell my kids to throw away their juice box straw wrappers.
— Simon Holland (@simoncholland) December 18, 2016
6. Kinda weird when you think about it.
https://twitter.com/juliussharpe/status/410804169738444801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E410804169738444801&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffpost.com%2Fentry%2Fsanta-visit-tweets-funny_l_5dda0a79e4b00149f71dfa36
7. Alert the authorities.
[in the mall]
Me: Want to sit on Santa’s lap?
4-year-old: I don't think he’s the real Santa.
Me:
4: Should we call the police?
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@XplodingUnicorn) December 16, 2014
8. A fake dude.
[at the mall]
me: it's time you know the truth — Santa is fake
son: omg
me: yeah, he was talking mad shit about you behind your back
— Henpecked Hal (@HenpeckedHal) December 7, 2018
9. He belongs in the fiery depths.
I told my son to give an Elf on the Shelf to the mall Santa and whisper in his ear, "Send him back to hell where he belongs, Mall Santa."
— Abe Yospe (@Cheeseboy22) December 10, 2016
10. Actually, I need two favors…
Your kid's picture with the mall Santa should include 2 things:
~ A stiff drink for the parents
~ Antibiotics for the kids— Sarcastic Mommy (@sarcasticmommy4) December 10, 2014
11. I’m sure he loved that.
I made my 5yo tell the mall Santa what he wanted for Christmas using only interpretive dance.
— Ms. Monster (@SpacePlankton) December 22, 2013
12. Christmas is canceled!
Add a bit of cheer by threatening to cancel Christmas if they don't stop fighting while in line to see Santa.
Makes for great pictures!
— Simon Holland (@simoncholland) December 21, 2014
13. That’s not good.
I’m pretty sure I saw this department store Santa in an old episode of “Dateline.”
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) December 20, 2014
14. You’ve been very bad.
My 2 year old is absolutely TERRIFIED of this mall Santa. Given his behavior over the past year, I can't say I blame him.
— Henpecked Hal (@HenpeckedHal) December 24, 2018
15. You don’t have to make it a big secret anymore.
Why does Santa make a big deal sneaking down the chimney on Xmass when I see him walking around the mall like everyday?
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) November 30, 2010
Be honest with us…how’d it go when you took your kiddos to meet Santa?
Was it a disaster or were they happy about it? Share your stories in the comments.