Too old for picture with Santa?

[JadeGirl]

A few years ago, I was living on the other side of the country from my parents.  I hadn't seen them in 12 months, and we were missing each other terribly (I'm also an only child, so no siblings for my parents to love on in my absence).  There was no way I could have made it home for another 6 months or so.  I then had the bright idea of getting a photo with Santa to send to them in their Christmas card.  I thought it would be a nice gesture, and would make them laugh.

Now I'm fully aware that it might not be appropriate for me to sit in Santa's lap, so I asked the organiser if we could stand and wave at the camera or have Santa pretend to give me a present.  She told me in a loud and nasty voice that I was too old for Santa and that I would be depriving a child of their Santa experience as the lines were so long and there was limited time for photographs.

I went home and cried 

Is there an age at which one is too old for Santa?  I was 30 at the time of this incident, but I have been told that I look roughly in my mid-20's (it's hard to tell sometimes with Asians).

[Kaylee]

You are *never* too old for pictures with Santa.  That's all there is to that.

Now.  I have a three-part question.  How did the Grinch a) shrink his heart again, b) turn female, and c) get a job at that photo place?

 

[Calbrini]

If you queued like everyone else i dont see any harm in getting your photo taken with Santa. a few years ago I remember teenage girls going to visit the one in our City department store and getting photographed with him. It doesnt take all that long to take a photo.

[RainhaDoTexugo]

I agree that you're never too old for Santa.  I could see the grinchette's point, to an extent, and I would have understood if she'd said nicely that they had limited time and would prefer to use that time for children who actually believe in Santa, but her presentation was extremely rude.  However, I would never fault you for asking, and I think it was a fun and thoughtful idea.  Either way, you probably could have taken the photo and gotten out of the way in the time it took for her to go on her little tirade, so her argument doesn't completely hold water for me.  You aren't 4, so you don't have to be coaxed onto Santa's lap, asked what you want for Christmas, and all that.  You simply wanted 10 seconds to take a photo, I don't think that's unreasonable.

I hope you were able to get a cute picture to send your family! 

[klm75]

I think you would have taken much less time than the parents who are determined to get a 'good' picture from their screaming child.  The last time I had a picture with Santa, I was 22, I think.  That woman was rude, period.

[Bethalize]

Is there an age at which one is too old for Santa?  I was 30 at the time of this incident, but I have been told that I look roughly in my mid-20's (it's hard to tell sometimes with Asians).

Hell no!

I had an advent calendar this year. I wasn't going to buy myself one but my Mum sent me one as a surprise and I adore it.

If the only reason you shouldn't do something that makes you happy is your age then that's a pretty poor reason for not doing something.

[Urbanfairy]

You are NEVER too old for Santa....
This was taken a couple of years ago.
I think I was about 28 in the photo.



It was taken at a christmas fundraiser for our local theatre. The guy is a family friend, but has 'played santa' professionally in some big London stores!!

[JadeGirl]

Thanks everyone!

The Santa booth was set up by a photography company, and you had to pay for a package of shots up-front.  You could then order more photos from their website.  Maybe they thought that I would only order the initial package, so it's a better bet to get more kids through because their parents are bound to order heaps of photos for doting relatives 

I never did get a photo of me with Santa, so I ended up getting a copy of my PhD thesis leather-bound and sent that to my parents instead.  It has pride of place on their bookshelf 

[Bijou]

Thanks everyone!

The Santa booth was set up by a photography company, and you had to pay for a package of shots up-front.  You could then order more photos from their website.  Maybe they thought that I would only order the initial package, so it's a better bet to get more kids through because their parents are bound to order heaps of photos for doting relatives 

I never did get a photo of me with Santa, so I ended up getting a copy of my PhD thesis leather-bound and sent that to my parents instead.  It has pride of place on their bookshelf 

Gee, I think that veering off a little from the norm by taking your picture would have been fun for the photography group and give them a tale to tell!  I think your gift to your parents was probably better and more appreciated.  too bad though that you couldn't get a copyright free picture of Santa from the internet and work it over in a graphics program on your computer to add yourself...that would have been a fun thing to do, along with your thesis.

[bopper]

"I'm sorry, is there a posted sign stating what the age limit is? No?  Thanks then, and I will be getting the 5 x 7's."

[Bibliophile]

My mom's in her 60s and had her picture with Santa last weekend - he was at the grocery store and everyone there just loved it!

[Romes7329]

No way!  One year in high school, me and 4 friends were shopping at the plaza and we decided the best thing in the world to do was get our picture taken with Santa.  So we did.  one on each lap, two behind us, and one kneeling in front.  I love that picture and still have it hanging.  Santa was bright red from the catcalling some boys were doing from the second floor though. 

NEVER TO OLD>

[Morty'sCleaningLady]

Nope - I tried to talk my family into it this year.  My 32 year old sister wasn't up for it, so my 35 year old self, and 60+ parents didn't do it.  (The line was really long.)  There's always next year!

A big trend around here is taking your pets to have photos with Santa.  (I've seen folks with dogs at the mall, cause he's a more authentic looking one that the PetSmart one.)  If dogs, which are 7 people years in each year, aren't too old, no one is!

[Bluenomi]

I spend one christmas taking santa photos and you're never to old ! You can get too old to sit on his knee though 

[JadeGirl]

I spend one christmas taking santa photos and you're never to old ! You can get too old to sit on his knee though 

Given that I was wearing my favourite Emily Strange tartan mini-skirt, I thought that standing would be more appropriate than perching on his knee.  Mind you, Santa might have preferred the sitting