When we were in San Diego, Grace asked me if she could sleep in our bed one night while I was helping her brush her teeth. I said no, and she burst into tears. Her sobbing seemed a little out of whack with my answer (she never sleeps in our bed)... it turns out I had completely misunderstood, and she had asked if she could see Santa.
We had been on the fence about whether to take her for a photo (we have a certain ambivalence about really emphasizing the Santa thing - a principle easier to hold firmly to until you discover what an excellent disciplinary tool it is). Anyway, this sealed the deal. Daddy couldn't say no to a Santa picture after seeing how broken-hearted Grace was. We tried to mollify our reservations by signing up for the photos that were part of a church fundraiser.
Well, turns out she just wanted to "see" Santa, not so much sit on his lap or have a picture. She eventually agreed and even gave a semi-natural smile.
Merry Christmas!