I’ll introduce this year’s post with last year’s thoughts…

 

I really loved putting together the Sweet Santa Photo Contest post.  Now more than ever, I so appreciated seeing all the sweet babes with their wonderful holiday smiles.  That being said… there is something really, really funny about Scary Santa photos.  I’m sure Scary Santa pics aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s kind of a childhood right of passage, isn’t it?  Trust me – I have my own Scary Santa pictures, and the 1985-version of me looks pretty damn funny as I scream in (poor, poor) Santa’s face.

 

I’m not sure why wee ones are so freaked out by Santa – maybe it’s the beard, maybe it’s the red suit, maybe it’s just the pressure of being ‘on’ in front of the camera.  But man, oh man – does Santa elicit some major freak outs.  The Scary Santa photos were judged based on the following categories:  the overall creepiness of Santa; Santa’s own freaked out expression; and the oh-so-dramatic expression on the kiddo’s face.

 

First up… The Scary Honorable Mentions

 

Megan sent in this sweet AND scary Santa combo pic!

megan

Regina wrote, “This was Jackson’s first year meeting Santa. As soon as I put him down, he flipped out. He’s usually constantly hamming it up and to be honest, I love this picture so much more. Priceless.”

jackson

Becky wrote, “We had high hopes as we were on our way to meet Santa at Birkdale.  Instead of a great big smile, we received this gem instead! Anderson just turned 17 months and is the most social kid.  Apparently he wasn’t feeling Santa this year!”

anderson

Becca wrote, “Our daughter Ouisie (said like Weezie) who is 3 was all talk after crying the past two years. When it was our turn, she freaked out… and Santa wasn’t excited either!”

ouisie

Charity wrote, “As you can see Santa was a huge hit this year! We even tried Mrs. Clause.. He clung onto my husband like we were feeding him to sharks! I can’t look at it without laughing!!”

Charity

Megan sent in this picture of her daughter Ellie.

Ellie Christmas 2013

Heather said, “The reindeer in the background of the Santa pic seem to be saying to one another, ‘Looks like we have another set of screamers…’”

heather

Jen sent in a Scary Santa COLLAGE!  She wrote, “My son is 3.5 now and hates his picture being taken and Santa apparently….one day we will get a smile ;). He even has his sister joining in.”

jen

Juliet sent in this photo of her screamer James.

james

Sara said, “Lukas doesn’t look too sure about this creepy Santa…”

lukas

Whitney wrote, “Last year our daughter (then 5 months) was great for Santa!  Not so much this year.  I have titled, this work of art, "How could you do this to me?!"  Luckily Santa kept it together!”

Whitney

Melissa said, “My 11 month old daughter Molly meeting Santa for the first time!”

J wrote, “This is Sierra’s second year visiting Santa and her second freak out.  Santa’s “Shoot me now” face makes the picture.”

sierra

Andrea sent in this one:

andrea

Lisa wrote, “The 2 yrd old is my son "Jack", from Dartmouth NS. His big brother "Owen" and cousin "Gracie" are sitting on each side of him.”

santapictwo

Brooke wrote, “This is my daughter Sydney at 16 months.  Santa is actually her daddy.  He plays Santa every year for the foster kids in our county.  We even pulled down his beard at one point to show her it was daddy but she was absolutely terrified of him!”

sydney

Lauren’s daughter Emma was a screamer for sure.

Emma

Stephani sent in this pic:

stephani

Kim wrote, “This is the photo of my daughter Sadie meeting Santa for the first time.  She was not thrilled to be put on his lap!  I thought it was kind of hilarious, does that make me a bad mom? :)”

kim

Lekki wrote, “I felt for sure this year would be a sweet Santa, but… no….”

lekki

Haley wrote, “My son Asher with Santa at our neighborhood Christmas party. Maybe next year will go better.”

asher

Whitney wrote, “This was  Whitten’s second time to meet Santa and it did NOT go as smoothly as the first time!! He is officially scared to death of dear old Santa. We had to laugh because the poor man playing Santa looked so helpless with Whitten screaming bloody murder at him!”

whitten

Christina wrote, “Couldn’t resist sending in a pic of our Arthur meeting Santa tonight. He is 23 months old. He was actually fine right before and afterwards gave Santa a high five!”

Arthur

Jillian wrote, “My normally charming, people-loving 10-month-old was not fond of Santa.”

james2

Katie wrote, “Tell us how you really feel, Olivia…”

olivia

Jenn sent in this picture!

jenn

Amanda wasn’t sure if this should go in Sweet Santa or Scary Santa.  Just for Santa’s expression, I say – SCARY!

jack

Kristi says, “Pure torture….”

Addie Theo Santa 2013

Brie sent in this Santa picture.

brie

Rachel wrote, “My 4 1/2 yr old daughter was super pumped to see Santa…until she actually *saw* Santa!  Meanwhile my 22mo old son looks like he’s about to rip off Santa’s hat.”

rachel

Tracy sent in this entry.

tracy

Amy wrote, “We put her on Santa’s lap and witnessed a moment of shock and a second later… pure terror.”

amy

Alexa sent in this very Scary Santa.

alexa

{{DRUMROLL PLEASE}}

 

Here are the finalists!  Which is your favorite Scary Santa picture? 

 

Scary Santa #1:  Lori sent in this picture. I thoroughly liked the giant bow, cute matching shoes, and Santa’s exasperated expression.

lori

Scary Santa #2:  Although  not a screamer, I still love this one.  Holly wrote, “I’m not entirely sure which category this fits into, perhaps "boyfriend repellent" for those teenage years?”

holly

Scary Santa #3: Here’s Mazlyn… Enough said!!!

mazlyn

Scary Santa #4: Stephanie sent in this gem.

stephanie

Scary Santa #5: Victoria said, “Her shirt says Santa loves me. Her face says not so much.”

victoria

Which Scary Santa photo is your favorite?  Vote for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 in the comments section.  On Christmas, I’ll compile all the votes and pick the winner, who will receive a fun prize.  

{ 149 comments }

 

  • Aja December 23, 2013, 5:11 pm

    I love all those photos. So funny.

  • Stephanie December 23, 2013, 5:16 pm

    Scary Santa #4!!

  • Alex December 23, 2013, 5:17 pm

    Oh my goodness! All of these were WAY too funny. So hard to choose, but I think I pick #4.

  • Ami December 23, 2013, 5:22 pm

    I love them all, but #3 is just special!

  • Lori December 23, 2013, 5:39 pm

    #1!

  • Margaret December 23, 2013, 5:45 pm

    Scary Santa #1. Neither one of them looks very happy!

  • Crystal December 23, 2013, 5:51 pm

    Scary Santa #5!!

  • Brandon December 23, 2013, 5:51 pm

    #4 is the best!!! Hahaha! Too much

  • laura December 23, 2013, 5:51 pm

    #1!!

  • Maria December 23, 2013, 5:52 pm

    #5 is too cute!

  • Angie @ Pint of Goals December 23, 2013, 5:52 pm

    #3 for sure. She looks miserable (which is both funny and sad).

  • Stacia December 23, 2013, 5:55 pm

    #5! Hilarious!

  • Eric December 23, 2013, 5:56 pm

    Santa #5!

  • Stacy December 23, 2013, 5:58 pm

    Scary Santa #5 for sure 🙂

  • Andrea December 23, 2013, 6:00 pm

    #3 for sure!

  • Brooke December 23, 2013, 6:03 pm

    Scary Santa # 1 !

  • Sue December 23, 2013, 6:10 pm

    #5

  • Frank December 23, 2013, 6:17 pm

    Scary Santa #5

  • Sorayya December 23, 2013, 6:17 pm

    #2 by a longshot!!!

  • Elisabeth December 23, 2013, 6:24 pm

    Oh man! #5 for sure!

  • Katie December 23, 2013, 6:34 pm

    definitely #3!!

  • Laurile December 23, 2013, 6:39 pm

    Scary Santa #5!

  • Chris December 23, 2013, 6:40 pm

    #5, Too adorable!

  • Ms. D December 23, 2013, 6:48 pm

    #3

  • Carrie Decker December 23, 2013, 6:48 pm

    Voting for contestant #5!

  • Becky Anderson December 23, 2013, 6:50 pm

    5 for sure!

  • Michelle December 23, 2013, 6:51 pm

    #5!

  • michelle December 23, 2013, 6:52 pm

    number 5

  • Suzanna December 23, 2013, 6:53 pm

    #5

  • Chad December 23, 2013, 6:54 pm

    #5

  • Amber K December 23, 2013, 6:57 pm

    #3 is priceless.

  • Nikki v December 23, 2013, 6:58 pm

    Number 5

  • Kristen December 23, 2013, 7:00 pm

    I love #5!!

  • Meaghan December 23, 2013, 7:08 pm

    #5. The cutest little baby ever!!

  • Kate December 23, 2013, 7:11 pm

    #3!

  • Emily December 23, 2013, 7:19 pm

    #3 for sure!

  • Cecily December 23, 2013, 7:25 pm

    #5 hilarious!

  • Holly G. December 23, 2013, 7:31 pm

    #3!

  • Tara December 23, 2013, 7:41 pm

    #5

  • Lori December 23, 2013, 7:55 pm

    I vote for#5

  • Valerie December 23, 2013, 7:59 pm

    #5!! Oh my!

  • Terri December 23, 2013, 8:01 pm

    #4! She’s too cute!

  • Elizabeth @ Positive Change December 23, 2013, 8:03 pm

    #3 is great!

  • Hope December 23, 2013, 8:03 pm

    5 cracks me up.

  • Toni Zygadlo December 23, 2013, 8:04 pm

    #5 That’s how I look when I see myself with no makeup…..

  • TD December 23, 2013, 8:05 pm

    #5!!!

  • Carmen December 23, 2013, 8:20 pm

    #5

  • Heather December 23, 2013, 8:23 pm

    #5! Such an expression!

  • RUTH December 23, 2013, 8:24 pm

    # 5 is my choice

  • Coco December 23, 2013, 8:25 pm

    #3, no contest!!! HILARIOUS

  • Lisa December 23, 2013, 8:31 pm

    #5!

  • Pam December 23, 2013, 8:43 pm

    #5!!!!

  • Leah December 23, 2013, 8:44 pm

    #3 for sure!

  • Barbie December 23, 2013, 8:47 pm

    I pick 1 but 3and 4 get props for hanging on!!!

  • Asya December 23, 2013, 8:55 pm

    Scary Santa #5!

  • Katie Murray December 23, 2013, 9:00 pm

    #5 She’s so cute! Priceless.

  • Brandon December 23, 2013, 9:10 pm

    Scary Santa #1

  • Ashley December 23, 2013, 9:27 pm

    #5

  • Megan December 23, 2013, 9:27 pm

    Definitely 3!

  • Barbara December 23, 2013, 9:33 pm

    These just made my night! #4

  • Erin December 23, 2013, 9:33 pm

    #3

  • Cassie December 23, 2013, 9:36 pm

    #3!!! She has fully committed to her role as horrified child!

  • Katie December 23, 2013, 9:39 pm

    5

  • Cassey December 23, 2013, 9:52 pm

    Scary Santa #5.

  • Dana December 23, 2013, 9:58 pm

    4

  • Kiki December 23, 2013, 10:00 pm

    4!

  • Ryan Schneider December 23, 2013, 10:01 pm

    #5 Go, Cora!

  • Abby December 23, 2013, 10:12 pm

    #3!

  • Melissa December 23, 2013, 10:15 pm

    #5

  • Maeve December 23, 2013, 10:15 pm

    #5! Hahaha so cute!

  • Hannah December 23, 2013, 10:21 pm

    3!

  • Meredith December 23, 2013, 10:26 pm

    #5 Rocks 🙂

  • Jennifer December 23, 2013, 10:27 pm

    #4!

  • Gina G December 23, 2013, 10:29 pm

    #2!!

  • Kathy December 23, 2013, 10:30 pm

    ooh, tough one…a toss up between 4 and 5 but I’ll go with #4

  • Kim December 23, 2013, 10:32 pm

    3

  • Norene December 23, 2013, 10:34 pm

    #5!!!

  • Alli December 23, 2013, 10:41 pm

    Number five!

  • Emily December 23, 2013, 10:42 pm

    #4

  • Aerevyn December 23, 2013, 11:01 pm

    OMG. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

    Yes, I love Sweet Santa. But there is something awesome about murking around in Scary Santa.

    #3 for Helter Skelter Pandemonium. Santa is SO not happy.

  • Brian December 23, 2013, 11:10 pm

    #4…hands down the best!

  • Andrea December 23, 2013, 11:45 pm

    #5. Priceless.

  • Jen G. December 23, 2013, 11:46 pm

    #5! That shirt makes it!

  • Angela December 23, 2013, 11:52 pm

    #3! But, I actually would have voted for J’s daughter, Sierra, in the honorable mentions – that one cracked me up!

  • Kerry December 24, 2013, 12:13 am

    I just need to be honest and say that reading this post a few beers in was one of the better choices I’ve made recently.

  • Stacy December 24, 2013, 12:29 am

    #3 all the way

  • Jennifer H December 24, 2013, 12:35 am

    OMG!!!!! #5
    SHE IS TOO CUTE PLUS SHE LOOKS LIKE THE KID FROM THE OLD CAMPBELL SOUP CAN..;)

  • Char-Marie Jennings December 24, 2013, 12:42 am

    Number 5!!! Absolutely adorable!

  • Katie sB December 24, 2013, 1:00 am

    #3

  • patty December 24, 2013, 1:23 am

    # 5 gotta love Cora

  • amanda December 24, 2013, 1:33 am

    #5!

  • Susan December 24, 2013, 6:13 am

    Scary Santa #5

  • Jamie December 24, 2013, 6:51 am

    #3!

  • Lauren December 24, 2013, 7:02 am

    3

  • Stephanie December 24, 2013, 7:26 am

    #3

  • Laurie December 24, 2013, 7:47 am

    #5

  • Cristina December 24, 2013, 7:54 am

    3! Poor child. Haha

  • Darci December 24, 2013, 7:55 am

    Scary a Santa #5 is priceless.

  • Shari December 24, 2013, 8:07 am

    #5!

  • Jen December 24, 2013, 8:12 am

    #5 too cute

  • Gleason December 24, 2013, 8:22 am

    Scary Santa #5 is the best!

  • jen December 24, 2013, 8:28 am

    4!!!! love it!

  • Laura j December 24, 2013, 8:31 am

    #1 for sure!

  • Kelly December 24, 2013, 8:35 am

    #3!

  • Amanda December 24, 2013, 8:40 am

    #3!

  • Kelsey @ Ramblings of Change December 24, 2013, 8:41 am

    #4!

  • Karin December 24, 2013, 8:51 am

    Oh man, #3!!!

    I love that you do this. Thank you!!!!

  • Kevin December 24, 2013, 8:55 am

    Go Cora!

  • Donna massey December 24, 2013, 8:57 am

    #5 , really who is this person , love it!!

  • Mindy December 24, 2013, 8:59 am

    #5 🙂

  • Ali December 24, 2013, 9:01 am

    #3

  • Kristie December 24, 2013, 9:04 am

    #5 too funny

  • Patti December 24, 2013, 9:08 am

    # 5

  • Erin December 24, 2013, 9:17 am

    #5, her eyes are SO funny!

  • Jessica December 24, 2013, 9:49 am

    #5

  • Anna December 24, 2013, 9:51 am

    #3 for sure!! OMG, that is the best.

  • Tricia December 24, 2013, 9:58 am

    3!

  • katie December 24, 2013, 10:24 am

    Number 3!!! thanks for doing this caitlin, i hope it continues in the future!

  • Liz December 24, 2013, 10:52 am

    I can’t vote for one of the five because I think the best one is up above. 11 month old Molly meeting Santa for the 1st time is my absolute favorite. Just the look of sheer terror is enough for me.

  • Jessica December 24, 2013, 10:52 am

    #5!

  • Mary December 24, 2013, 10:53 am

    Have to love them all! But I love the look on #5.

  • Blythe December 24, 2013, 11:13 am

    #3

  • Katie M. December 24, 2013, 11:24 am

    #4

  • Laura Z in CO December 24, 2013, 11:28 am

    #3

  • Lily December 24, 2013, 11:49 am

    Haha, definitely #5! 🙂

  • Mike December 24, 2013, 11:53 am

    These are all hilarious, but I love Scary Santa #5 the most!

  • Kinnereth December 24, 2013, 12:46 pm

    My fiancé wants to vote for #1, I vote for #3.
    Those Santa sure are strong to hang on as the kids flail off his lap!!!

  • Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut December 24, 2013, 1:52 pm

    #3 is my favorite. Holy cow I feel bad for those Santas!!

  • Sue December 24, 2013, 2:20 pm

    I vote for Scary Santa # 5

  • Jaidean December 24, 2013, 2:56 pm

    #5

  • Becky December 24, 2013, 3:17 pm

    #5

  • Pam December 24, 2013, 3:51 pm

    #5

  • erin m. December 24, 2013, 5:07 pm

    #4!

  • Karen December 24, 2013, 5:59 pm

    number 3. she is so scared!

  • Wendy December 24, 2013, 6:21 pm

    5

  • Michelle December 24, 2013, 8:29 pm

    Got to be #3

  • Bob December 24, 2013, 9:15 pm

    I vote for Scary Santa #5

  • Erika December 25, 2013, 12:01 am

    # 3

  • Maria December 25, 2013, 3:50 am

    #4! Everything about this one is hilarious, including the woman in the background.

  • Jen December 25, 2013, 6:27 am

    #4!!!

  • Barb December 25, 2013, 6:32 am

    #5

  • Chelsea December 25, 2013, 1:08 pm

    Scary Santa #1!

  • Courtney December 25, 2013, 6:32 pm

    #1–I love how the Santa looks bored despite the little girl
    crying!

  • Charity December 25, 2013, 8:37 pm

    #3 girl is giving it her all!

  • Andrea B. December 27, 2013, 12:44 pm

    #3 – wow!

  • Andrea December 28, 2013, 10:14 pm

    Lol #4, but jeez I also loved Jen’s collage and Becky’s son Anderson! Sad those weren’t finalists. I’m sure it’s soooo hard to choose!!

  • Britt January 2, 2014, 5:56 pm

    #3 is perfect!

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