October 16, 2025

🎄 Cupcakes with Santa: A Holiday Experience to Remember in Jacksonville, FL

It’s hard to believe this marks the 4th year of offering one of my absolute favorite holiday traditions — Cupcakes with Santa at Smallcakes! What started as a fun little idea has grown into a magical annual event that families across Jacksonville look forward to year after year.

As a Jacksonville family photographer and a mom of three boys, I live for moments that blend fun, connection, and memory-making—and this event does exactly that. These are not just quick photo ops. They are full-on festive experiences filled with laughter, cupcakes, and real time with Santa (plus a few surprises along the way!).

These sessions go fast — both in how quickly they book and how quickly those 10 magical minutes with Santa fly by. So let’s talk about what makes Cupcakes with Santa so special, how to prepare, and why this is a must-do tradition for Jacksonville families.

Not Just Pictures with Santa, It's A Full Santa Experience

At Cupcakes with Santa, your child doesn’t just “smile for the camera.” They get personal time with Santa, a sweet treat from Smallcakes, and new this year—a chance to leave their letter at the Letters to Santa Station, with the possibility of getting a surprise card in the mail from the North Pole!

As a photographer in Jacksonville, FL who’s been doing these sessions year after year, I’ve seen the magic unfold up close. Shy kids open up. Siblings laugh together. Parents tear up. It’s the kind of Christmas magic you can’t script—and that’s exactly what I love to capture.

What's Included

🎅 10-minute private session with Santa

📸 3 professionally edited digital images

🧁 One FREE cupcake from Smallcakes

💌 Access to our new “Letters to Santa” Station

📬 Option to receive a letter back from Santa in the mail

💻 Online gallery delivered within 1 week

📄 Print release included

Only $75 per family

📍 Session Dates & Locations – Jacksonville, FL

Saturday, November 29

📍Smallcakes - City Station Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32218

Sunday, December 7

📍Smallcakes - Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32224

Saturday, December 13

📍Smallcakes - San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32257

🧠 Sensory-Friendly Options available from 9:00–11:30 AM for a calmer, quieter environment.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Larger or extended families? Please book separate sessions so each child gets their time with Santa.

What to Wear: Holiday Style Tips for Santa Photos

Choosing the right outfits can elevate your images and make your gallery feel even more magical:

Cozy Neutrals or Classic Christmas Colors: Think forest green, cranberry red, cream, or soft browns. These photograph beautifully with our festive backdrop.

Coordinate, Don’t Match: Choose a color palette and coordinate pieces instead of everyone wearing the exact same thing.

Add Texture & Layers: Knit sweaters, scarves, velvet dresses, or corduroy pants add richness to your photos.

Festive Accessories: Santa hats, sparkly bows, or even fun Christmas socks for the kids can add playful touches.

Keep Comfort in Mind: Happy, comfortable kids make for the best smiles!

How to Make the Most of Your 10 Minutes with Santa

These sessions are short and sweet—here’s how to get the most magic out of your time:

Arrive early so your kids aren’t rushed and have time to get excited (and maybe pick out a cupcake flavor).
Prep your child beforehand by talking about Santa, what they might ask him, or what their letter says.
Let the moment unfold naturally. I’ll gently guide the session, but the sweetest moments often come from kids doing their thing!
Capture behind-the-scenes memories. Snap a few photos of your child writing their letter or picking their cupcake — those in-between moments matter too!

Why Families Love Cupcakes with Santa

From the holiday-themed cupcake shop to Santa’s warm, personalized approach, this event is crafted with love and attention to detail. As a Jacksonville family photographer, I’m focused on more than just snapping a photo — I want to capture a feeling. A memory. A tradition.

This is a chance to pause during the holiday hustle, connect with your little ones, and let them soak in the joy and wonder of Christmas.

✨ Kind Words from Past Santa Sessions ✨

We had our first experience with Kristina with Santa photos and loved the magic she was able to capture with my littles to allow for lasting memories for years to come. The Santa was one of the most authentic looking I’ve seen! We loved all our images!

-Stephanie M.

Kristina is amazing! She made this year’s Santa visit a ton of fun! I can’t wait to do it again next year! Kristina had our photos back super quick! I can’t wait to have these hung in the wall!

-Jessica H.

Had a wonderful experience getting Santa photos taken with my two boys and their cousins. Two out of four boys were not a big fan of Santa but she went above and beyond my expectations getting us great photos. Highly recommend.

--Charlotte P.

Kristina was so patient and kind with my young one. The pictures turned out so beautifully!

-Sam B.

I was very impressed with the patience of Santa (and Kristina). I had a sleepy two year old that was not “playing pretty” .He did not want anything to do with Santa or his picture taken.. Kristina took lots of shots .. I would definitely recommend her services.

-Amanda W.

We used Kristina for Santa pictures this year and were absolutely thrilled with how they turned out. The quality and speed at which we got them was great and it was definitely more affordable and better quality than your typical mall Santa. We will definitely be back next year!

-Amethyst B.