For many Americans, meeting Santa at the mall has been a staple of the holiday season for decades. But not every Santa snapshot is full of smiling kids... or even any kids. 

For example: Of course Santa speaks marsupial. He speaks every language!

This baby's face, quite literally, screams, "Get me outta here!"

This little boy is highly skeptical of Santa's aesthetic.

This reptile is surely on Santa's nice list. 

All they want for Christmas is to do something else.

The big guy DOES appear to have mistletoe on his hat. 

At least Santa's smiling.

Big brother does not understand what all the fuss is about. 

He has "nice" tattooed on the other arm. True story. 

Is that a beard or a ski mask? 

Santa is being a really good sport. 

Hey, Christmas spirit is for all ages. 

Maybe if Santa were smiling, she wouldn't be so upset. 

If we're judging by Santa's face, this doggie (named Bela) is smelly. 

According to mom, the kiddo wouldn't uncover her eyes so Santa decided to do the same. 

"Basketball Wives" star Bonnie-Jill Laflin plants a kiss on an unsuspecting Santa in Los Angeles in December 2017.

What is it about Santa that does this to kids? 

This guy actually reviews mall Santas. 

Santa would smile, but ...

Mom, who is this man? And why is big brother making that face? 

Their mom's Instagram handle is "the moody girls." Wonder how she came up with that. 

Santa, tone it down. Seriously. 

If she gets to sleep, Santa gets to sleep. 

See, some kids do like Santa. 

And big brother is even HAPPIER this year. 

But hopefully it'll go better next year. 

Kid, you shoulda brought your list. 

Mall Santa's used to scaring babies, but he's probably not used to being scared. 

Santa's trying to keep it together. 

For all the effort these moms put into it, you'd think Santa would at least crack a smile. 

Maybe 2018 will go better. 

Forget cookies. This Santa needs some coffee. 

These guys are two members of the Bucky Waters Bluegrass band. They seem to be making Santa a little nervous. 

She wants off of that stranger's lap. 

You can practically hear this kid. 

If you're not going to do Christmas right, why do it at all? 

Seriously, don't even show up if you're not going to dress up. 

Yeah, that clearly calmed him down. 

Mom swooped in to rescue her distraught child. 

Good thing that beard is covering Santa's mouth, because he's likely not smiling. 

Apparently not much changes in a year. 

Santa's been doing this all week. What do you expect for him to look like on Saturday? 

Santa knows it's coming.

You'd be scared too. 

At least she's not still crying in this one. 

That is the look of absolute terror. 

Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy. Apparently not today.

We can't see Santa's face, but we can imagine it. 

Big sis is trying hard to keep it together here. 

Santa looks calmer than he should. 

Santa seems miffed. But at least the Mrs. looks chipper.