“Hide Kids, The Cameras Are Coming!”

By

Gerry Niskern

Let’s all take a vow this holiday season. Repeat after me. “I solemnly swear I will stop and enjoy more of the magical interludes with family and friends. I will not try to record every detail for posterity on film, but will simply enjoy the moment and hold it in my heart.”

Do you remember when family gatherings during the holidays used to be warm, happy times? Everyone relaxed, shared a meal and caught up on the latest news of the clan. Children developed their social skills through games and conversations with their aunts, uncles and cousins.

Now days I have a feeling the little ones love that moment when they hear the words, “my batteries just ran out!”

The video conspirators are everywhere. It’s not always noticeable when one is pointed in your direction. They not only document the last ten pounds you gained, they’re recording every word you utter. The remark that  ‘Aunt Millie needs to lose a few pounds’ is not funny when played back loud and clear for the whole world to hear.

Actually, this all started a few years ago. I’m sure you remember seeing the stooped, sweating daddy carrying a hundred-pound video camera on his shoulder. He trudged along behind his young family faithfully recording the activities of mom and kids having fun on their vacation. Too bad the daddy didn’t just   put the video camera down and enjoyed the special times with the kids while it was happening.

To tell the truth, if you go back a little further, a lot of us are guilty. Remember the little brownie movie cameras?  On Christmas morning, while the toddlers ripped open their presents, the contented baby was smiling in mother’s arms. However, if daddy, the official cameraman, decided it wasn’t light enough inside the house, he switched  on the light bar that held not one, but two 500 watt floodlights. The baby became rigid in the blinding glare and his cooing became screams of agony. Come to think of it, lucky for us there was no sound recording on those cameras.

I’m probably being too hard on the family photographers. Besides, they are not the really hard-core bad guys at Christmas time. That title goes to the lady elves at the mall.

Ever since the malls have had Santa’s there have been the elves with  cameras. I realize they are only doing what the parents pay them to do, take a good picture of their child with Santa. The current definition of good photo seems to require that Santa and the children who are sitting on his lap face forward and mouth a phony “cheesy” smile.  If they don’t get the required grin, a parent and the elves will persist until they do.

I wish, just once, that all parents would let the toddler climb on Santa’s lap and then, just stand back and wait. I guarantee you, the look of awe and wonder on their child’s face, as he looks up at Santa, will be incredible. Children want the fantasy; they waited a long time for this magical moment. Trust me that is the picture you want.

You will have that one in a million photo and your child will have his moment with Santa uninterrupted as he tells the big guy his “wish” list.