Real Kid Photos: Scared of Santa

By Chrissy Mahlmeister
Facebook/Kelly Boeke Walters
To some kids, that jolly guy with rosy cheeks and the long beard is well, freaky! Check out some of the funniest scared-by-Santa Claus photos, submitted by moms (trust us: you'll want to send this one to a friend).
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Chat Interrupted

Facebook/Kelly Boeke Walters

A verry annoyed 2.5 year old over his 1 year olds brothers reaction well trying to have a chat with Santa — Kristy James MacDonald

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Sleepy Santa

Alison Jenkins/Facebook

Santa must have been really tired from the season to have a screaming baby on his lap and still sleep. My four year old was not impressed... And yes, I PAID for this! Lol — Alison Jenkins

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Escape Artist

Facebook/Annmarie Azevedo

Poor Santa. He doesn't quite know what to make of Haden. I've spent the last month prepping Haden for this year's photo and he says he is excited to see Santa, but we'll see! — Annmarie Azevedo

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Why, Mom?

Facebook/Christin Stoll

Daughters are 3 and 1 and a half. Both couldn't wait to see Santa and both decided this isn't what they thought it would be like. — Christin Stoll

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Over It

Facebook/Donna Falconieri

My daughter is about 18 months here. She was so excited to meet Santa, until she actually saw him. I get such a kick out of the look on Santa's face...likes he's so done with the whole thing. — Donna Falconieri

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Oops!

Facebook/Kelly Boeke Walters

This was last Christmas. My daughter just turned 2 and we thought this was the year that she would be excited to see Santa! Clearly we were wrong! My one month old son, on the other hand, enjoyed his first visit...or rather slept through the entire spectacle! Maybe we will have better luck this year?!?! Merry Christmas! — Kelly Boeke Walters

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Come On, Bro

Facebook/Angel Anderson Morrison

Our normally very happy Logan, at 1 1/2, was not very happy at all to sit with Santa. He still keeps a relatively safe distance.— Angel Anderson Morrison

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No One Wins

Facebook/Jennifer Mushung

It took an hour of hanging near Santa, talking to him, and just trying to get her close. I gave up and did the drop and run just so I could get a picture at all. Santa was preped, but no match for her brute strength and unwillingness to be near him at all. — Jennifer Mushung

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Jingle All the Way

Facebook/Michelle West

First official photo of the kids with Santa. Twins just turned 2 and my oldest was almost 4. We waited patiently until it was our turn. Kids loved seeing all of the other kids visiting with Santa and seeing the candy canes. When it was our turn everything changed. No one could get out of there fast enough. As we were leaving my daughter was smiling and waving to Santa. Go figure LOL — Michelle West

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Not So Brave Little One

He's unfortunately not as brave as his brother and sister. -- Elizabeth; Greensboro, North Carolina

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Take One for the Team

Facebook/Katie Ruiz

Poor girl was terrified. We tried bribing her with ice cream and other treats. Nothing worked but we were determined to get a Christmas picture. — Katie Ruiz

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Cover Your Ears

Facebook/Rachel Adams

I don't think Santa or the girls were prepared for the strength of little mans vocals! — Rachel Adams

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Not Even for Papa

Facebook/Tammi Richards

Our Santa was my Dad which for months he had been growing his beard and we talked about Papa being Santas helper. She saw her Papa several times in his Santa suit but the day he came to our house and she waved and said "papa santa" but as soon as she was set on his lap she was having none of it! My mom had to hold her (as Mrs Claus) and read a santa book before she calmed down enough for 2nd picture...she still was going to keeo an eye on him though! — Tammi Richards

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Candy Cries

Santa, I've been a good girl so just hand over this candy cane and let me go because you scare me. -- Sarah; Rancho Cordova, California

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We’ve Got a Runner

Facebook/Stacey Ozegovich-McDuffie

We just had these done this year and she was NOT buying into [it] AT ALL! — Stacey Ozegovich-McDuffie

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The Wonderland Wait

I took my baby girl to meet Santa for the first time, the hour-long wait was wonderful and then she met this guy. -- Corey; Beaverton, Oregon

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Chocolate Crisis

Facebook/Zahara Finder

We went to the mall to get holiday pictures done since I had gotten a coupon. Noticed Santa was there, cool. It's almost Christmas Day, and it's my sons first Christmas, so of course I wanna get a picture. Line was a little long, but I was a new parent and had no idea what the hell I was getting myself into. It ends up taking about an hour to get to the front of the line. There were tears long before Santa. I was so unprepared for the standing in line for too long melt down. I had no snacks for him and had to break down and let him eat my chocolate stash to try to bribe him into happiness. He finished it too fast and was in full blown crisis mode by the time we get up there. I don't think Santa was too thrilled, but I will forever laugh at this picture as my son gets older. Definitely saving it for his future gf's. — Zahara Finder

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These kids learn that they've made the naughty list! -- Lisa; Amelia, Virginia

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Plotting Revenge?

Facebook/Dana Trotter Whitteaker

My boy looks like he's got some evil plan going on inside that noggin of his. — Dana Trotter Whitteaker

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Up, Up, and Away

Get me out of here! -- Kimberly; Venus, Texas

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Santa Sasses Back

Facebook/Hayley Gore Henshaw

My son Jackson (6) and daughter Skylar (9 mos). Skylar did not want Santa to hold her. But he was a good sport. My son didn't know what to think about his sister's reaction. — Hayley Henshaw

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The Dasher

Santa looked great... but poor Berkley didn't care what he looked like! -- Sarah; Portage, Wisconsin

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Kissy Face

Eek! Watch the whiskers, Santa! -- Angela; Ocoee, Florida

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Holiday Howler

A very unjolly Christmas for Laurel. -- Melissa D., Maple Valley, Washington

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Losing It

Joseph is not happy about being on Santa's lap. -- Kristy M., Concord, North Carolina

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The Candy Man

Santa tried to bribe Samuel with candy canes. It didn't work. -- Mellissa A., Fort Lewis, Washington

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That's Not My Daddy!

As you can see, Maia Lula was not having it. -- Michaela C., Germantown, Maryland

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Pig Tailed and Pouty

Alyssa is definitely not a fan. -- Michelle B., Ridley Park, Pennsylvania

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Snowed by Santa

Even Malcolm's favorite book can't distract him from his fear of Santa. -- Melissa D., Maple Valley, Washington

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Worth a Thousand Screams

Maybe this year's visit to Santa will be a little less miserable. --Nicolette D. Chantilly, Virginia

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I Don't Think So

Samuel got spooked! -- Rebecca F., Rutherfordton, North Carolina

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Big Red

Aubrey screamed until her face matched Santa's outfit. -- Melissa D., Maple Valley, Washington

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Santa's Little Helper

William wanted to be Santa's little helper -- until he found out he'd have to sit in some strange-looking man's lap! -- Martina T., Edgartown, Massachusetts

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Dad in Disguise

Poor thing -- Katelyn didn't know that Santa was her own daddy! -- Jamie V., Cutler Bay, Florida

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Double-Team

Even Santa's helper couldn't help little Ben. -- Melanie R., Brooklyn, New York

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Emily, Meet Santa

Emily's first meeting with Santa? Not the best first impression. -- Sara R., Oviedo, Florida