The holiday season has begun. With it comes the magic of decking the halls, parties, gift-giving, special treats, and so much more. It’s no secret that this is a special time for all families who celebrate the many winter holidays. For families who celebrate Christmas, a Santa Claus sighting or visit can be an exciting adventure. Capturing your child’s photos with Santa isn’t always an easy task, but it can be fun and memorable.
If you’re headed out to meet the jolly man himself, you may be wondering how to make the experience positive for your child. Our parents and teachers have collected five of their most helpful tips for successful photos with Santa!
Meet Before You Greet
If this is your first opportunity to meet Santa, it’s important to know that it can be a different experience for everyone. Lay the groundwork by reading books, looking and pictures, and sharing stories about Santa in the weeks before you have your photo-op. Especially for children who haven’t seen Santa in person yet, pictures and videos can help them know what to expect. This is the perfect time to introduce some classic holiday movies for a glimpse of Santa. They’ll know what to expect if they “meet Santa” before they “greet Santa.”
Explore Your Options
While the local shopping mall is a popular Santa photo spot, it can also be the busiest, which could mean a long wait for your children. Bring some toys, games, and snacks to entertain your preschooler as you wait for your picture. You can also do some research online or ask your friends with children where they go to meet Santa. Local preschools, holiday breakfasts, festivals, or fundraisers could be a place to find a less in-demand Santa. You might just be surprised where Santa will pop up around your community.
Be Strategic
Weekends are the most common times for families to drop in for a visit with Santa, so consider visiting Santa during a weekday or night as your schedule allows. You’ll also want to factor in your child’s nap and meal times to have the best chance of a picture-perfect moment. It never hurts to have on hand some favorite toys, props, or candy that can be used to change a child’s mood in case they get scared or unhappy during the photo session. Some Santa photo stations have fast pass opportunities where you can call ahead or reserve your spot online, so you’ll definitely want to explore those options as well.
Dress for Success
When it comes to the right outfit for a photo with Santa, you can be creative, playful, traditional, or a mix of all three! It’s always good to consider how comfortable your children might be if the wait is longer than expected. For extra-aesthetically pleasing photos, you could even check out the venue’s backdrop and color schemes in advance. Coordinating clothes to match the scene are perfect for holiday cards, photo slideshows, and photo albums. Comfort with your child’s attire, especially in the event of long wait times. You might even want to research the venue’s backdrop and color schemes when choosing your child’s photo attire.
Stay Present in the Moment
The most frequent tip we hear from our staff about preschoolers is that it’s important for adults to respond to their needs at the moment. Your child might be truly excited to meet Santa, or they may simply be curious. Either way, accept their response and support them as they have a new experience. While planning is key, it’s also essential to be able to adapt and pivot as necessary.
The Gardner School is excited to ring in the holiday season with our students and families. We wish you a joyful time together as you make memories to last a lifetime. To learn more about how we support preschoolers and their parents, schedule a tour today.