There was a time when meeting Santa meant a trip to the mall, a long line, and a flash that turned everything red and gold. The sets were pure theater, with thrones by the food court, cotton-snow drifts, and toy soldiers guarding a plywood North Pole. The photos were a little crooked, the smiles -and the cry- were very real, and the fashion tells you the decade without a caption.
In these photos, you’ll spot shy kids, bold wish lists, and Santas who look like they just stepped off their lunch break. It’s holiday nostalgia in its most relatable form.
1. Meeting Santa in 1975
2. This goes straight to the “bad photos of kids with Santa” album
3. This Santa is not very happy
4. Santa wasn’t paying attention
5. This was taken in 1972
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6. Why is Santa hiding?
7. They are not in the “Good” List
8. This couple from the late 90s now takes their kids to see Santa
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9. Not super psyched about Santa
10. The goth kids wanted a photo with Santa, too
11. It’s all in the eyebrows
12. Not sure what’s going on here
13. A couple of shy kids meeting Santa in the early 70s
14. He and Santa were good pals
15. A weird reunion
16. A grinchy Santa
17. “I’m waiting for you”
18. An Extra Terrestrial Santa
19. They were all scared
20. You can see she was super stocked
Explore more vintage content:
If you like these vintage holiday memories, keep the mood going and check Inside the Office Holiday Party, 1970s–2000s, or these Hidden Curiosities from Classic Christmas Movies. If you’re looking for some holiday laughs, you can take a look at these Holiday DIYs That Went Off-Script (and Off the Rails).
