SLO County residents share photos of their visits with Santa

After her parents passed away, Janet Lester browsed through their old photo albums and found a picture of herself with Father Christmas.

That’s what they called Santa Claus in England, where Lester grew up.

While big guy went by a different name there, the tradition of meeting him, as Lester’s photo shows, was the same as it was for children in America at the time, 64 years ago.

Lester, who met her American husband while attending college in Germany, has lived in the U.S. since 1970. But the photo of her visit with Father Christmas helps keep the memories of her past life alive.

“It has great sentimental value, as it takes me back to my childhood in England and to the days when my close family members were all still alive and living together,” wrote Lester, 67, of Arroyo Grande.

When The Tribune asked readers to share their old photos — and memories — with Santa, nearly two dozen responded with photos of St. Nick, showing that the jolly elf does indeed get around. Here we share some of those memories.