Courtesy Anne Pham

Tai, 18 months, is hurting Santa's ears!

Earlier this month we presented round one of some of the fantastic "Scared of Santa" photos readers submitted as part of our Your Cute Kids contest via Facebook. We had such a huge response, and the pictures (like the one of tearful little Tai Pham, above) were so irresistible, we couldn't help but select another batch of goodies. We hope you enjoy them in this last week before Christmas, and don't forget to see our new callout for photos. To celebrate the New Year, send us your photos of new babies… or your bigger kids doing something new. Whether it’s a newborn or your big girl riding her new bike or tying her shoe for the first time, let’s see those brand-spankin’-new moments.

But first, more holiday terror with jolly St. Nick.

Courtesy Rachel Divita

Kendall, 2, isn't pleased but her baby bro wonders why.

Courtesy Sarah Moore

Ava asks: Why???!!!

Courtesy Laura Bonelli

Trevor and Sloan, 11 months, aren't happy, but neither is Santa!

Courtesy Teresa Yvette

Kailani, 11 months, is not a happy camper on Santa's lap.

Courtesy Michaela Peterson

Noah, 6 months, giving Santa a pouty lip.

Courtesy Janice Gurry

Nolan, 18 months, doesn't like Mrs. Claus, either.

Courtesy Rian Trank

Ayden and Brennen say: Santa is scary, even though we were born on Christmas day.

Courtesy Kimberly Grasson

Brayden, 20 months, is not as brave as his big brothers

Courtesy Brandi Biggart

Lana wonders why baby brother Carson is so scared of Santa.

Courtesy Nikki Banos

Joseph, 21 months displays his true feelings about Santa.

Courtesy Joelle Boros

Bode and Brogie went from happy to not-so-happy on Santa's lap.

At my son's elementary school, the question is on everyone’s lips these days: What are you getting the kids for the holidays?

My answer: Nothing.

Getty Images stock

He's totally psyched just to light the candles... why throw presents into the mix before we have to?

The gift list for my two boys is still empty. It’s not that I don’t have any ideas on what to get them. I know that my 4–year-old would love a Buzz Lightyear toy, and that the little one could use a new puzzle or two. My list is non-existent for another reason: We are skipping the gifts this year.

Don’t get me wrong, we have nothing against gifts. They get birthday gifts, simple “I love you” gifts and little trinkets my husband brings back from business trips. We live in the UK, separated from both our families by a lot of water, and there is always a little something arriving in the mail from the boys’ grandmas and grandpas, not to mention suitcases full of boxes to unwrap when they come to visit. These kids are hardly hurting for presents.

This is probably the first year that my eldest is old enough to really understand and remember for next year that the winter holidays and presents go hand and hand. While he has learned all about Hanukkah in school, he has yet to ask what he's getting. He comes home singing song after song, excitedly tells me about the menorah they are making in class and even gives me a brief outline of the Hanukkah story. He asks me each night, "How many more sleeps before we can light the candles and sing together?"

For him, that’s what the holiday is about. Not eight nights of presents, or comparing his take vs. his friends’. For a precious few years before he grows up and learns better, the holiday is a true holiday, a time to celebrate together, bond over latkes and pig out on jelly donuts.

My husband and I ask ourselves how many more years we have left until he catches on to what some of his friends have doubtless discovered. The answer is probably not many. But while it lasts, we want to preserve his innocence and let him enjoy the holiday as it was meant to be celebrated.

Rachel Elbaum is a London-based writer who secretly stocks up on gifts months before her kids' birthdays.

Our present to you: More great TODAY Moms stories
Sandra Bullock can't stop buying gifts for son Louis
'Is that all?' Spoiled moments shake parents
 Toy aisle smackdown: Going to extremes for the gift
Santa is too much drama for this Jewish mama

We got so many fan submissions that we had to include a round two! Inspired by the TODAY talent's brave foray into holiday sweater couture, fans of all ages sent in their photos of knitted Christmas masterpieces! From light-up sweaters to bright red vests, check out the very best submissions:

Submitted by Shervin Nakhjavani

Never trust me with your Christmas lights.

Submitted by Rachel Pintarelli

Rockstar Catering Company's Jeff Green with Capone

Submitted by Kirsten Marshall

We sent this to all of our family and friends for Christmas this year. Dad is wearing a genuine wool sweater from his grandfather, Glenn.

Submitted by KC Fletcher / UGC

The Fletcher family in Redmond, Washington.

Submitted by Alexia McAllister / UGC

Company wide ugly Christmas Sweater Contest

Submitted by Shelly Hussey

2nd Annual Hot Lunch Lady Ugly Sweater Contest

Submitted by Stacey Molter

Office Staff of Burlington Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, PC in West Burlington IA

Submitted by Shelly Walker

Ugly sweater contest at AV High School.

Submitted by Courtney Lowery

The Lowery Family says "Howdy Ho Ho Ho" from Tyler, Texas!

Submitted by Samantha Wolfe

Our church group had an ugly Christmas sweater party! These two were voted the "winners!"

Submitted by Jane Haines

Andrew in The Christmas Story leg lamp sweater. Shawn in a Musical Snowman sweater vest.

Submitted by Linda Saenz

Chewy in his annual Christmas picture, bringing smiles to everyone.

Submitted by Laura Berry

Charles and Laura Berry at an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party! Laura's sweater is quite "angelic" with bight gold tinsel with silver tinsel stars accenting the sleeves, neckline and waistline!

Submitted by Ashley Fluty

2010 Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Even our new puppy had an ugly sweater.

Submitted by Samantha Wolfe

Our church group had an ugly Christmas sweater party and even went out in public in them to embarrass ourselves!

Submitted by Eric Haverstock

This was our top three winners from our First Annual Company Ugly Christmas Sweater Party/Luncheon.

Submitted by Kim Butorac

Annual Trashy Christmas Party at local bar in Minneapolis.

Submitted by Holly Shirkey

Ugly Christmas sweater party! I made this myself.

Submitted by Mary Ice

My brother had an ugly sweater party and had this great backdrop so that we could take pictures!!! I couldn't just sport the sweater, I had to go all out from head to toe!

Submitted by Carla Aponte

At our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party.

More: Anchors don ugly Christmas sweaters
Share your funny (and ugly) Christmas sweaters!
The 9 best beauty stocking stuffers for under $15

Sure, you can use your nifty Trader Joe's grocery bags to wrap your gifts this year. But if you want to jazz it up a little, check out some of these quirky wrapping papers that prove that what's on the outside can be as fun as what's on the inside.

Pam Lostracco on Etsy.com

If you leave these under the tree too early, you might find the puzzle completed long before Santa comes. Don't blame them if they complete the crossword without opening the gift first. $5 per set, Pam Lostracco on Etsy.com

Bloomin.com

For the eco-conscious on Santa's nice list, give them a gift wrapped in a gift with this plantable seed paper that will bloom within weeks! Plantable gift wrap ensures they'll be thinking about you long after the snow melts! Bloomin.com

Perfect for the blended or non-denominational celebration, this wrapping isn't as bland as its message. You can't get much more. $5.99, ThinkGeek.com

nineteenseventythree.com

Wrap your gift in this paper, then wrap it in another box wrapped in this paper, then wrap that in yet another, bigger box wrapped in this paper, then.... well, you get it. Nesting dolls are a great way to decorate your nest! $4, nineteenseventythree.com

ThinkGeek

Prove you're a hero (not a zero) to the lovable geek in your life with this binary paper sure to score a 10. $5.99, ThinkGeek.com

ThinkGeek

Bacon's not just for breakfast. Caution: may distract Santa from the cookies.  $3.99, ThinkGeek.com 

Fast food is reinvented in this luxe wrapping set sure to make them ask you to super-size their gift. Sarah Fay and Justin Colt's Gift Couture — "a start-up creative and innovative wrapping paper company" — introduces the mouth-watering Cheeseburger set! Available for pre-order on Kickstarter

Merisa Fink is a Brooklyn-based writer who appreciates any outfit that provides pockets for snacks.

More: The 9 best beauty stocking stuffers for under $15
TODAY talent's favorite holiday hostess gifts
6 little black holiday dresses for under $100