Merry, Meltdown Santa Photos Of Kids, Pets Shared By MD Readers

MARYLAND — Santa Claus has already come to town — he's at every area mall, along with other special Christmas events — which means there have been plenty of opportunities around Maryland to get your children and/or pets photographed with him. Patch is compiling a gallery of festive — and often funny — photos from readers' visits with the jolly old elf.

Readers have sent us a mix of funny and sweet photos; some kids love St. Nick and some appear to be traumatized for live. Keep sending in your photos, and we'll share them in the next few days. See tips below on helpful information to include with your submission.

Our main photos feature beautiful Enzo the dog posing with Santa, sent in by Roy Temple of Darlington, while the second photo is less happy. Scarlett, age 2, doesn't know what to make of Santa at Columbia Mall, and has flopped on the floor to avoid the meeting. Thanks to Elizabeth Pellak of Elkridge for sharing that reluctant moment. And lastly we had an epic meltdown at the Arbutus Fire Hall.

Here's the rundown on photos readers have shared, so far, keep them coming:

Heather Simmons of Pasadena submitted this sweet moment between her daughter, Gracie, age 23 months, and the Santa at Bass Pro Shop.

Pet Nirvana pet store and grooming shop in Bel Air this month included a special Santa Paws stop. The humans who live with Captain Morgan, a 6-year-old red toy poodle, say he loved the photo session.

Young Santa Brayden Staron of Abingdon visits with the elder Santa, shared by Mary Staron.

Kelly Ward made us smile with this photo of Reece, age 2 1/2 months, who seems fairly unsure of the guy with whiskers holding him. The picture was taken Dec. 16 at the Kohl's store in the Festival shopping center in Bel Air.

A few parents joined the fun, including Melissa Lawson of Ellicott City, when she took her son, Knox, age 4, to see Santa Claus. The phot was taken Dec. 15 during a holiday party at The Wishing Well Learning Center.

Brittani Carolan's adorable pug, Sebastian, snuggles with Santa at the Petsmart in Timonium.

Macy, a Doberman, age 2, reportedly asked for lots of treats Dec. 9 when meeting with Santa at Canine Fitness Center in Crownsville, says owner Lauren Jones of Pasadena.

Jake and Bella enjoyed Santa at Petsmart in Westminster, says their mom, Janet Gilbert of Eldersburg.

You're never too big to visit Santa at Annapolis Mall. Lisa O'Hagan says Patrick, 16, and Danny, 15, of Edgewater asked for "crazy priced shoes and a baseball bat" under the Christmas tree.

Shelley Shupp of Greenbelt sent in this humorous pose of dog Stella at Bass Pro Shop at Arundel Mills on Dec. 10.

Gerry Lindner of Bel Air passed along this picture of her sweet granddaughter with St. Nick.

Bogart loved sitting on Santa's lap, said humanKatherina Zotos of Columbia.

Kaylee's first Chrismas, captured in a photo submitted by Sarah Lowery of the Essex/Dundalk area.

If you have a shareable photo from your 2018 visit with Santa, send an email to maryland@patch.com. Please include the phrase "Santa Photo" in the subject line. We'll compile a gallery of the cutest (and funniest) photos with Santa. (Pet photos are accepted too!)

Please include the following information in your email:

• Date and location of photo event
• Age of child/children
• First names (optional)
• Your hometown
• Include a phone number (not for publication) in case Patch needs to contact you.
• We're going to assume that Patch has permission to use every photo that is submitted for this feature.

Feel free to also tell us what your child asked Santa for — gift suggestions can sometimes make great photo captions. Happy holidays!

SEE ALSO:

• Best Christmas Lights In Maryland 2018 To Check Out
• List Of Christmas Movies On Cable, Netflix, Hallmark In 2018

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Main photo: Enzo the dog with Santa, courtesy of Roy Temple of Darlington; second photo: Scarlett, age 2, with Santa at Columbia Mall, submitted by Elizabeth Pellak of Elkridge; third photo of unhappy kids taken at the Arbutus Fire Hall.