The Cutest Celebrity Throwback Photos with Santa

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Lily Collins/ X ; badgalriri/Instagram

Lily Collins/ X ; badgalriri/Instagram

They may have grown up to be superstars themselves, but to these cute kiddos, the biggest celebrity around was Santa Claus. Maybe they asked him to grow up to sell out stadiums and walk international runways and he made those wishes come true! Look back at the most adorable photos of stars-to-be including Rihanna, Lily Collins, Gwen Stefani and the Kardashians meeting “the man with the bag” as part of their childhood Christmas celebrations.

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Rihanna

Rihanna/Instagram

02of 16Lily CollinsLily Collins/ XProof she’s always been a fashionista in the making: “#FBFto blonde lil Lil making sure to color coordinate as she told Santa everything on her Christmas list,” Lily Collins wrote in 2016.

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Lily Collins

Lily Collins/ X

Proof she’s always been a fashionista in the making: “#FBFto blonde lil Lil making sure to color coordinate as she told Santa everything on her Christmas list,” Lily Collins wrote in 2016.

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Melissa Joan Hart

Melissa Joan Hart/instagram

“This is my late Uncle Mark who totally sold me as Santa but now I understand that I didn’t look at his face.#crookedbeardand about 30 years old"she wrote on this sweet throwback shot.

04of 16Amanda SeyfriedAmanda Seyfried/InstagramFromMamma Miato “#fbf with my Santa Papa,“The Dropoutstar showed she’s always been angelic.Amanda Seyfriedand her siblings dressed up for the festive occasion with Father Christmas.

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Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried/Instagram

FromMamma Miato “#fbf with my Santa Papa,“The Dropoutstar showed she’s always been angelic.Amanda Seyfriedand her siblings dressed up for the festive occasion with Father Christmas.

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The Kardashian-Jenner Family

Kris Jenner/Instagram

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Rob & Khloé Kardashian

07of 16Gwen StefaniGwen Stefani/InstagramThen “Just a Girl,” we’re guessing a youngGwen Stefaniasked for something “Hella Good.” The singer was photographed on Santa’s lap next to a decorated Christmas tree.

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Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani/Instagram

Then “Just a Girl,” we’re guessing a youngGwen Stefaniasked for something “Hella Good.” The singer was photographed on Santa’s lap next to a decorated Christmas tree.

08of 16Kendall & Kylie JennerKylie Jenner/InstagramThen 5 and 3 years old, respectively, we’re assuming Kendall and Kylie were begging Santa for Razor scooters. After all, niecePenelope Disickhad toinherit the obsessionfrom somewhere.

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Kendall & Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner/Instagram

Then 5 and 3 years old, respectively, we’re assuming Kendall and Kylie were begging Santa for Razor scooters. After all, niecePenelope Disickhad toinherit the obsessionfrom somewhere.

09of 16John StamosSource: John Stamos/InstagramTheFuller Housestar was actually kind enough to reveal what he asked Santa for (in between the crying). “All I asked for Christmas was a good head of hair,“John Stamosjoked on Instagramin 2016. Hisfamous dois proof wishes do come true.

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John Stamos

Source: John Stamos/Instagram

TheFuller Housestar was actually kind enough to reveal what he asked Santa for (in between the crying). “All I asked for Christmas was a good head of hair,“John Stamosjoked on Instagramin 2016. Hisfamous dois proof wishes do come true.

10of 16Prince Harry & Prince WilliamRex USAA Super Soaker could have pleased even the most privileged boys in 1990. A dapperPrince HarryandPrince Williamwere photographed back then holding shiny new gifts fit for a (future) king.

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Prince Harry & Prince William

Rex USA

A Super Soaker could have pleased even the most privileged boys in 1990. A dapperPrince HarryandPrince Williamwere photographed back then holding shiny new gifts fit for a (future) king.

11of 16Sarah Michelle GellarSource: Sarah Michelle Gellar/InstagramSarah Michelle Gellarposted this adorable Christmas snapof her then-younger (and brunette!) self with Santa on Instagram with the caption: “This guy is getting what I’m throwing down. I got this in the bag.” We think thefuture vampire slayerwas expecting to see a Cabbage Patch Kid on Christmas morning.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar

Source: Sarah Michelle Gellar/Instagram

Sarah Michelle Gellarposted this adorable Christmas snapof her then-younger (and brunette!) self with Santa on Instagram with the caption: “This guy is getting what I’m throwing down. I got this in the bag.” We think thefuture vampire slayerwas expecting to see a Cabbage Patch Kid on Christmas morning.

12of 16Derek & Julianne HoughJulianne Hough/InstagramAccording to the dancing Hough siblings, receiving pajamas under the tree was an annual family tradition. “There was one year when thepajamaswere all for girls,“Dereksaid. “I asked [my parents and sisters], ‘Where’s my pajamas?’ And they were like, ‘Those are for you too.'“Julianneadded, “I remember one year Derek had Ninja Turtle ones for sure. I love a good footie pajama, so as kids, we would have footies. Then it kind of transitioned, and when we were teenagers, it was Victoria’s Secret. All the girls, because it was always Derek and a bunch of girls, so all the girls got the Love Pink pajamas and stuff like that.”

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Derek & Julianne Hough

Julianne Hough/Instagram

According to the dancing Hough siblings, receiving pajamas under the tree was an annual family tradition. “There was one year when thepajamaswere all for girls,“Dereksaid. “I asked [my parents and sisters], ‘Where’s my pajamas?’ And they were like, ‘Those are for you too.'”

Julianneadded, “I remember one year Derek had Ninja Turtle ones for sure. I love a good footie pajama, so as kids, we would have footies. Then it kind of transitioned, and when we were teenagers, it was Victoria’s Secret. All the girls, because it was always Derek and a bunch of girls, so all the girls got the Love Pink pajamas and stuff like that.”

13of 16Lucy HaleSource: Lucy Hale/InstagramSanta and sisters!Halewas around 4 years old when she and her sister Maggie were “justspreading a little Christmas cheerwith Saint Nick … circa 93.” Though the actress would eventually have to keep some dark secrets onPretty Little Liars, we’re sure she always made Santa’s nice list as a kid.

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Lucy Hale

Source: Lucy Hale/Instagram

Santa and sisters!Halewas around 4 years old when she and her sister Maggie were “justspreading a little Christmas cheerwith Saint Nick … circa 93.” Though the actress would eventually have to keep some dark secrets onPretty Little Liars, we’re sure she always made Santa’s nice list as a kid.

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Jessica Alba

Source: Jessica Alba/Instagram

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Kourtney Kardashian

Source: Kris Jenner/Instagram

16of 16Gigi HadidSource: Gigi Hadid/InstagramMaybe the model used someChristmas magicto get alittle sister. Well, ifBella Hadidarriving one year later is any indication, we’re guessing the answer is yes.

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Gigi Hadid

Source: Gigi Hadid/Instagram

Maybe the model used someChristmas magicto get alittle sister. Well, ifBella Hadidarriving one year later is any indication, we’re guessing the answer is yes.

source: people.com