Mall Santas have it rough . . . even when they’re not working, they get recognized by kids and have to keep up the whole cheerful Santa thing.

Last Wednesday, a three-year-old named Gracie Wilson was at a restaurant in Evansville, Indiana, and saw a mall Santa sitting at a booth having breakfast.

He was in his red Santa suit, with his jacket off.  And he was by himself . . . so she decided to sit WITH him, because she didn’t think Santa should have to eat alone.

Gracie’s grandmother knew the guy might not want to deal with kids right before his shift, so she asked him if it was okay first.  But he was cool with it . . . and now a photo of them sitting together has been liked thousands of times on Facebook.

According to Gracie’s mom, they talked for 20 minutes about the movie “Frozen” and how the weather is at the North Pole.  And at one point, she asked if she could come LIVE with him there.

They also talked about Christmas presents, but she didn’t ask for any.  She just said she wants to meet her new baby brother for Christmas.  Which she will . . . her mom’s due in a couple weeks.