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).
