There's a "you can't pat children on the head" religious belief???
What religion???
Once again, paranoia and the politically correct assholes are ruining the holidays for a lot of children.
All my kids have had their picture taken in Santa's lap. One or two of them weren't thrilled with the event, and the picture clearly shows the "my mother made me do this!" facial expression. One was wowed beyond belief and told Santa what to bring for everyone she knew. Santa was way cool with it.
A lot of parents find out what their kids really want for Christmas through the experience. That's always been part of a "professional Santa's" job. Listen to the child, then whisper the info to the parent...if the parent didn't hear it just by standing there.
I once had a very leggy, ex-model friend who always bemoaned the fact that as a child, she never got to sit in Santa's lap and have her picture taken. I took her to the mall to have her childhood wish fulfilled. I think the Santa was very, very, VERY happy for the break in his day.
"Ho, ho, ho" frightens children?