YES, THERE WERE TEARS and clinging to Mom and Dad.
But eventually 2 1/2-year-old Hank came around.
He cautiously inched his way down the basement steps, where Santa waited at the bottom.
My great nephew, Hank, age 2 1/2, picks candy from Santa’s bag at the Kletscher family Christmas gathering.
Santa’s bag of candy proved too much to resist.
Last year Hank was afraid of Santa. So Santa, being the nice guy that he is, stepped aside and turned his back. Then Hank, sheltered in his mom’s arms, and with the help of Grandpa, got his candy.
What a difference a year makes.
In 2012, when he was six months old, Hank was all smiles sitting on Santa’s lap.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Kids do seem to be either hot or cold towards jolly ol St. Nicholas 🙂
Hank made a really big turn-around on Saturday, though. He was at first screaming and crying. And 10 minutes later he was reaching for that candy.
To a little person, Santa (and, maybe, clowns) are really quite intimidating and scary! It was that way for our very young sons the year we hired a Santa and his Elf to come to the house to give out the “Santa gifts”. Our older son (then 4 y.o.) calmed down and was fascinated to see just how the jolly ole fellow was going to drink his milk through all that beard, etc!!!!!! We all had a good laugh!! (Secret: we had a straw at the ready for this moment!)
Our NSP meter reader (remember when that position existed?) came to our house every year before the company holiday party dressed as Santa. One year Caleb was so afraid that he hit the kitchen floor, flat as a pancake, the minute Santa walked into the kitchen.
LOL! I really can see that!!!! “Meter reader”…..another charming(?) memory from a more innocent time!
He is a scary guy. Even the nicest boy has to worry about naughty. 🙂
That’s an interesting way of putting it. But, hey, I like it.
I well remember those days!😇
Aw—Hank is growing up!
That he is. And he really grew since I last saw him in September.
It’s very hard for children to resist someone with a bag of candy! Merry Christmas Audrey, to you and all your family xx
Thank you. And to you and your family also, Charlie, a most blessed Christmas!
This will sound very Bah, Humbug!, but my friend the former cop tells me that we should be very careful in encouraging small children to take candy from a scary stranger, even if (or maybe especially if) they are dressed as Santa or a clown. It needs to be very clear to them that it is okay only because mom or dad is there with them.
It is a bit of a mixed message. No wonder kids are hesitant.
That’s not necessarily Bah, Humbug, but a good point. Thank you for this suggestion. Hank’s mama was right there.
I love his big grin!! We are so far past the days of Santa photos, I suggested it the other day and was unsuccessful:) I will have to wait now for Grandkids. Wishing you a very merry Christmas!
I’m waiting for grandkids, too.
A Merry Christmas to you also, Barbara.
Hank and Carson are the same age, it’s been fun to see little Hank growing up. He sure is a cutie!
Ditto for Carson. Loved your family Christmas photos.