As much as it is really great to have a photo of your child in Santa's lap to commemorate this year's holiday season, some kids simply don't react very well with the season's most famous icon. Most parents have experienced dealing with a screaming child while attempting to take a decent photo with the jolly red man. For those who have had this experience, we all know it is something we'd rather not deal with again.

So, if you'd want to avoid such a scenario, here are some reminders that will help that first visit to Santa a lot easier.

Be a Santa Advocate

With kids, it's really all about conditioning. In the days leading up to the visit, make sure you tell your kid about Santa Claus. Tell him/her about great experiences with Santa back when you were a child. Doing so makes the concept of Santa welcoming to the child's mind, according to Parents.com.

Get the Best Santa

There are always Santas who are completely in character and there are those who look like they've just been forced into the role. When with your child, ask for the best Santa around. After all, you don't want your child's first experience with Jolly Old Saint Nick to be with a Santa that's neither jolly not saintly.

Don't Mind The Lap

Some kids really just don't like sitting in laps. Call it the emergence of personal preference at a young age, but if your child won't sit on Santa's lap, be cool with it. Tell Santa about your child's tendency to refuse to sit in laps and consider it as an opportunity to take a creative shot, reported PureWow.

Eye Contact

At the end of the day, your kids will be in a stranger's lap. A lot of kids have a tendency to panic during these moments. To avoid this, simply keep eye contact with your kid so he/she knows that you are there and that he/she is completely safe from any harm.

Keep their Mouths Busy

Kids usually get distracted when they start chewing on something. Let them nibble on some candy cane while they're sitting on Santa's lap. It's cute and completely, justifiably on theme as well.

Let's cross our fingers for your child's first picture with Santa!

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