Do you have any idea how much fun it was to compile the Sweet Santa / Scary Santa posts? I can’t even put it into words! And let me tell you – while it was difficult to choose the finalists for the Scary Santa post (which is going up tomorrow), but it was even harder for Sweet Santa. Every baby and kid looked adorable, and every Santa looked jolly and fun.
Up first are our… Honorable Mentions of Cuteness
Cori wrote, “We always go to the same Santa. This year, I made tutus and lace collars for the twins to wear. Audrey, the older but smaller twin, decided that it made a better headband. But with those sweet smiles, I’ll take it.”
Krista says her son loved his Texas Santa!
Kristen says, “This year, my daughter Sonia was alright with Santa.”
Barbie wrote, “Cousins Sierra (blonde) and Ainsley (brunette) and of course their favorite carry alongs. My child is never without a dog and Ainsley has a snowman.”
Holly says, “This is this year’s picture. Sam is 3 and was so excited.”
Jennifer says, “This is 4 week old Fergus with his papa and I (and I’m looking up and looking nutty), taken in Bangkok, Thailand where we currently live, at a Christmas party thrown by the hospital where he was born!”
Joanna wrote, “This is my little 13 month old Neil with Santa! He was totally amazed and then turned forward and flashed his toothless grin!”
Kaitlyn wrote, “Calvin is 9 months old and was super happy sitting on Santa’s lap!”
Jessica says, “This is Raymond; he is six months old.”
This is Chrissy’s cutie:
Heather wrote, “Landon and Santa! Although, Santa looks like he could use a nap!”
Cathy’s kiddos with Santa.
Stephanie thought her Santa did not look amused as he held her little cutie Liam.
Kerrie said, “This is Jackson, 5 months old, meeting Santa. No tears!”
Jill said, “This is my 3-month-old daughter Alexis with the Santa that visited her school! She’s not scared, just kind of "Eh… whatevs." She’s wearing a cute gingerbread outfit!”
Courtney submitted this very sweet photo.
Sherri wrote, “Here is my sweet niece Charlotte with S. Claus himself. Have you ever seen a 6 month old so happy to be on Santa’s knee? She was laughing and smiling away with him the entire visit. I think I know who’s on Santa’s ‘nice’ list this year”
Karyn wrote, “Maddison’s first trip to see Santa (7 months)!
Christine said, “This is a picture of my 4 month old Miles Henry with Santa a few days ago. Like you I wasn’t sure if this would be a sweet or screaming picture but he ended up liking the jolly old guy! Next year will be a whole different story!”
Kendra wrote, “So bummed you can’t see my son’s face in this one but I thought it was cute how they are looking at each other. Plus, that is one convincing Santa if you ask me!”
Dawn Marie said, “This is M at 5 months old with Santa.”
Jenny wrote, “This is my furbaby Corky. The mall near my house does “Santa Paws” on Monday nights in December, so we were in line with a bunch of other dogs and little kids…total chaos.”
Jennifer said, “My daughter Hayden (age 6 months). She seemed pretty unaffected by Santa. They had a nice chat and we went on our merry way.”
Lisa wrote, “There’s no wonderful expressions, but there’s more of a complete indifference mixed with some big time curiosity about him!”
Rachel says, “These are my one year old twins with Santa.”
Sarah said, “I usually do not let strangers hold my babies, but this Santa was the real deal. He has 8 kids and 16 grandkids, and was so gentle with my daughter, Mary, that I felt instantly at ease. This picture was taken last Wednesday (12/5), when Mary was just 5 days old! He’s been Santa for 10+ years, doing the lightings in downtown Cincinnati with the Mayor several times — and Mary was his youngest baby ever.”
Drumroll, please…. I am pleased to now show you the finalists.
Four Finalists of the Sweet Santa Contest
Up first, we have Callie and the Mini Athlete. A jolly Santa, a cute little boy, and a pretty epic green screen. Callie said, “Extra points for the bare feet in the snow scene? He’s a Florida boy!
” The bare feet totally got me. Nothing cuter than baby feet!
Here is Lauren’s little man, Elliot. He’s a finalist because 1) check out that sweet little mini-Santa outfit, complete with fuzzy booties; 2) How did she get him to look into the camera so perfectly? and 3) I;ve never seen a tidier Santa beard. Lauren says, “This is Elliot; this is last year’s picture – he was 6 months old.”
Introducing… Asher Grae. He’s a finalist because of that sweet little hand over his heart, as if he’s saying, “Oh my goodness, it’s SANTA!” Kaila says, “Asher Grae’s first trip to meet Santa at six months old.”
And last, but certainly not least, a big boy named Michael. I just loved the expression of joy and belief on Michael’s face. Beth wrote, “This is my Michael with an awesomely realistic Santa!”
Now it’s your turn to choose the winner… Number 1, 2, 3 or 4? Cast your vote in the comments section; I’ll tally up the votes and select the winning picture on Friday.
Happy Holidays!







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{ 183 comments… read them below or add one }
4!!
It’s a tie between 2 and 3…but they ALL look adorable!
This is such a fabulous idea. Nothing gets you in the spirit of Christmas better than cute kids and sweet Santas. Thanks for sharing!
#3 super cute!
Aww, these made my morning. I vote #3!
Oh my! Such precious photos and hard to make a decision but I’m going to have to vote for #3 – if that’s not a happy baby, I don’t know what is.
I vote #4 – I love that he still believes!
#3
#3! Thanks for the laughs this morning!
All adorable!! But my vote is #4!
I vote for #3.
If the mamma of #3 sees this, was that taken at the Fashion Mall in Indianapolis? I’m the mom of the twins above, and I’m pretty sure we saw the same Santa!
These are great!! I’m voting for #3 because I’m imagining him going all Will Ferrell inside his tiny head: “SANTA! I know him! I know him!”
I vote 3! All of them are super cute though!
#3! That look is priceless!
They are all SO darn cute, but #3 is my favorite.
#3 but they are all so precious!!
Tie between #2 & #3!
omg #3 for sure!
I pretty desperately needed a giggle this morning, and picture number 3 definitely gave me one. Holy moly.
They’re all so cute, got to go with #3, his face is priceless….
#3!
Really love them all but number 3!!
wow adorable – I’m going to vote for #4
3!
#3 — love the little hand and look of awe!
3!
I vote for #3- they are all adorable though!
This just made my day!! Thank you for all the cuteness.
1 all the way!
# 2…that outfit is too precious.
#3…although they are all great.
3!!!
And thanks for posting my sweet girls in the Honorable Mention
3!
#3!!!
I think it has to be #3. Although I’m pretty partial to the furbaby!!
#3
#1, the mini athlete all the way!
I vote #3. Adorable!
All adorable!!! I have to go with #3 for the win
#3!
Three!! Happy Holidays!
So happy to see all the wonderful baby pics! Love the expression on # 3 to precious!
#3!
They’re all so cute! I vote #4!
Difficult to choose between numbers 2 and 3, although they’re all incredibly sweet
3
All so cute! I vote #3!
I had a hard time choosing between #2 and #3, but I’m going to go #3. He just looks so dang excited!
#2!!
I vote 3!
Although the Mini Athlete is SO cute… I have to vote for #3!!!!
Thank you so much for doing this. I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes looking at these sweet kids. Love it.
My vote goes to Sweet Santa #3. That face!!
#3.. that smile is too cute!!! But they definitely ALL were awesome!!
Definitely #1
#3. Definitely.
Definitely #3! I love this post idea by the way. Totally made my morning!
It’s got to be #3 – so funny!
I vote #4 – that sweet, innocent smile!!!!
#3 definitely!!! Love the hand and expression!
#3 *although they are all adorable*
All so cute but #3 gets my vote. His little hand kills me!
3! But this WHOLE POST is my FAVORITE!
3 for sure!
#3….these all made my day. Such a cute idea!
#3 for sure!
It’s a tie between 2 & 3- I can’t decide. They are all adorable!
Asher!
#1 gets my vote!
Three!
#3, for sure!
Oh my goodness! Raymond’s, Jackson’s and Charlotte’s pictures are all so great. Lisa’s is one to treasure – gorgeous!
Hmmm… picking a winner was hard. I think #3 though purely for “WOW!” factor! Too cute.
Great competition. These photos made my day! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s post.
#3! So adorable.
#3
Number 3! So adorably priceless.
I see why you had a tough time! But 4–the others are so little they aren’t sure what they’re seeing, but he knows and is really excited. And the little Santa hand-holding is too cute!
#3!
#3 for sure. That expression! And the hand. My heart has officially melted.
I vote #3! That look of pure joy is absolutely adorable! However, they are all adorable.
I can’t wait for the Scary Santa pictures!
#3. His expression is so cute.
2 and 3! I can’t pick just one
I’ve got to vote for my baby #4 if that’s allowed
Thanks for picking him as a finalist!!
#3, oh my cuteness!!!!!
#3!!!!
#2 is my vote! They are all so cute!!!
Asher Grae, #3!!
These are all so sweet! I vote for #3!
#3…so precious!!!
#3!
Pick number one!!!!
#3
(the santa in #2 is a bit creepy looking to me)
#3!
omg so cute!
#3!
#3 and #4 are my favs… but if I have to pick one, I’m going with #4. He reminds me of the magic Christmas holds and you can see all over his face that he “believes.” In today’s world where innocents is lost way too young, we could use more of that magic.
All very cute, but 3 is my favorite!
Aww I wish Kerrie’s Jackson was a finalist that’s the sweetest pic! But if I had to pick i pick sweet santa. My 8 month old though santa was no big deal. No tears, no smile, didn’t even look at him lol!
Thanks Ginna
I vote for #3!! He looks like he’s in awe of Santa!
#3
I vote for #3.
3!
All of the pictures are absolutely adorable, but I vote for 3.
#3! So sweet!!
#3 just made me smile
So cute!!! They were all adorable, though. I can’t wait for the scary Santa pictures, haha!
They’re all adorable, but number 3 is my favorite! Absolutely precious!
I vote #3! So cute!
definitely #3!
#4!!!! I’m pretty sure he’s the Santa at the Carlsbad,ca mall !!!
#2 So cute!
Oh my goodness, so many adorable pictures!!!!!! #3 is priceless though!!!!!
It has got to be #3. So adorable!
#3
They are all so cute and beautiful! But my vote has to go for baby #3, his expression is just so adorably awesome!!
#3- omg that face!!!
I’d pick 3 or 4. If I have to choose one, I’d go with 3.
3…that smile gets me every time!
Number THREE. God bless his little heart.
#3! The expression of awe!
I love #3!
#4
3
Loved them all, but I vote for #3… so sweet!
#3! That is the most precious “Oh my goodness, SANTA!” face I have ever seen. What a cutie. All of them were adorable though!
#3 that baby boy is adorable!!
All the finalist were cute but ….THREE is so expressive and happiness is glowing off that face!!!
I’d like to bottle that baby glow and take it with my multi vitamin.
#3 – Asher! That pose is so amazing!
I like Number 3 – that little baby is soooo interested!
All four of the finalists are boys…
I’m sensing a little partiality here.
(For the record, I did not submit a picture.)
Absolutely number 3!
#4 – that little guy is so precious – his belief in Santa warms my heart!
Thanks for the honorable mention!! It’s a tough one between 2 & 3 but I’ll go with 3 since it’s similar to mine with the baby looking at Santa!
All completely adorable but yep, have to say 3
Heidi xo
Wow…so hard! Between 1 and3 but I have to go with 1, I think.
Number 3! Adorable.
Aww, so sweet. I love number 3. Could Santa’s cheeks be any rosier?
Although they are all precious I vote #3!
#3
Number 3 gets my vote!
I can’t choose! #3 and #4!
#3 adorable
Number 3! His little hand and adorable smile make me smile too.
Definitely 3! SO cute!
Number 1 all the way!
#3
3!!
Definitely Asher Grae – what a cutie!
So hard to choose! Ummm… #3!
#3!
#3
also, all those Santas are different….is Santa not real, Caitlin? IS SANTA NOT REAL
I hope I’m preparing you properly for motherhood, by asking the tough life questions.
No, no. See, Santa is busy in his workshop making all these toys, so he sends out his brothers to meet all the little boys and girls at the mall. Right?
Is it allowed to vote for your own child? I have to vote for #1 (obviously I’m biased!), but if he weren’t in the running, my vote would be for #3. How adorable!
No. 3
3!!
#3 – such a cute expression!
A very uplifting post in a very heavy week! All of the children are beautiful! (Some of the Santas are wackier looking than others!) But I really love #4 for the sweet way he is holding Santa’s hand!
#1, the Mini Athlete!!
#3. Too cute!
#1….you have to love bare feet!
#3 – absolutely precious – love the hand position and the looking at Santa
Were three of those photos from Santa’s Wonderland??? I don’t know what that is but the backgrounds match up!
#3! His expression is priceless! The joy of Christmas right there
4! Best Santa and cutest little boy!
#1 all the way!!
Such a cute Mini Athlete!
I like so many of them! But my husband helped me pick #3. I literally squealed when I saw it!
My baby is an honorable mention… so I will have to vote for #3.
#1!!
They are all just too dang cute!!! I think I’d have to go with #3…#2 was a close second though with those little boots!
Number 3!! Too dang cute!!
3!
1 all the way. Love those happy toes.
3!
3!!!!!!!!
#1, the mini athlete all the way!
Number 1!!!!
They are all adorable but I have to choose #1 mini athlete
#1!! go mini athlete!
#3 for sure!!
3!
#1
#3 – the expression is adorable!
without a doubt NUMBER SEVEN! look at that toothless smile!
Number three. It is so sweet that it makes me cry.
#3 all the way!
#3! That picture warmed my heart.
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