Santa Photos

A little know fact: Christmas photos on Santa’s lap were INVENTED in Seattle in the 1940s. Did you know that??? Maybe you did, but I didn’t until like 2 years ago. Which is shameful, because not only was I born and raised in Seattle, but I did this every year as a kid and am now continuing the tradition with my family.

Sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him what you wanted for Christmas wasn’t invented here but taking a picture of it was. In 1943 the Frederick & Nelson department store at 6th & Pine (where the Nordstrom Flagship is now) decided to move their Santa set-up out of the inside of the store and into the same display window that Nordstrom uses today. Upon seeing this, a Seattle PI photographer named Art French got the idea to snap candid photos of the whole thing from a hidden off-to-the-side location. This is why those original shots have this side angle format and are not taken from straight on.

(me with Santa in 1984)

When I was little it wasn’t enough to just take the photo – if you were really doing it right, you had to go to Frederick & Nelson’s because they had “the chair” and the “good” Santa. You can still find this set-up with Arthur & Associates at the Town Center at Lake Forest Park.

(me with Santa in 1983)

As much as I’d love to continue this tradition in this very specific way, I have to be realistic and find my Santa where ever I can get him (and with the shortest line possible). But I love displaying these photos during the holiday season.

Now you might be wondering why I keep including Santa photos with crying kids in this post… That’s because these are THE BEST ONES!!!! Don’t you dare miss out on such an important part of this tradition. If your kid is looking a little whimper-ie as you approach the jolly man, don’t back down, don’t do anything. Just throw that kid on his lap, tell Santa to hold tight, and back away. These will be your favorite photos in years to come. And if you’re thinking: I just don’t want my child to be traumatized by seeing Santa!!! My response to you is: Really?? Is that actually even possible?? Is it possible to have negative feelings about SANTA!?!?! Even if they did for a second, or perhaps even for that particular season, I’m sure all will be forgotten by next year. And if it really sticks for some crazy reason maybe it’ll end up saving Santa some gift money!!

Now on the flip side, when our kids got beyond this crying phase, we made sure they arrived at Santa’s lap with a bit of purpose. They always have a serious agenda, with lots of information to pass onto the big guy: where we live, which chimney (we have 2) he should go down, what he can expect for a snack, and of course a couple of present requests. This makes for some super cute shots of them talking with each other, which I equally love.

So if you haven’t already started this holiday tradition get to it! And hopefully you’ve still got some criers left in your family!