Here comes Santa Claus — and what an exciting time of year this is! Christmas Eve can feel like a whirlwind of last-minute wrapping, remembering where you hid the presents, and trying to keep the magic alive for one more year. So we asked the Mykidstime team to share the tips and tricks they’ve picked up over the years for making Christmas Eve as smooth (and magical) as possible.
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Watch our video for more festive Christmas Eve inspiration: https://youtu.be/ZXSbadwNePo
Planning ahead really does make all the difference. Put together your own secret Santa-arrival checklist, and you’ll be free to sit back and enjoy the magic on your child’s face come Christmas morning.
Video Chat With Santa
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Organise a video chat with Santa himself. You choose the date and time you’d like Santa to call, and when your appointment arrives, simply click the link in your confirmation email and wait for Santa to appear on screen.
Personalised Video Messages from Santa
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Portable North Pole (PNP) is an online platform used by Santa and his elves to send personalised video messages, perfect for creating a magical, tailor-made moment for your child. There are several themed videos to choose from — it’s worth setting aside a few minutes to add your child’s details (what they’re hoping for, their age, their interests) so the message feels as personal as possible.
Santa Wrapping Paper
If you’re wrapping Santa’s presents, pick a completely different paper pattern from the one you use for everyone else’s gifts. A top tip based on bitter experience: buy an extra roll so you don’t run out and accidentally mix it up with the regular presents. Any leftover paper keeps well for next year, or you can pass it on to another parent.
Hang Up a Santa Cam
If your children need a little incentive to behave in the run-up to Christmas, try making your own Santa Cam. Take a plain ball ornament, paint a black camera-lens symbol in the centre, then write “Santa Cam” at the top and “Naughty or Nice?” at the bottom. Hang it on the tree so the kids know Santa is keeping an eye on things.
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Create a Christmas Eve Box
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A Christmas Eve Box is exactly what it sounds like — a gift box you give your child on Christmas Eve to open and enjoy. The tradition is believed to come from continental European countries, many of which celebrate their main festive event on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day.
Prime the “Sold Out” Present
If you’ve managed to track down your child’s most-wanted gift, drop a few hints that only Santa could possibly find something so sought-after — then watch their face light up on Christmas morning when they realise he pulled it off. If you weren’t successful this time, it’s just as effective to tell your child that Santa will bring something they’ll love just as much, because he’s the master of a good alternative.
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Don’t Miss…
We’ve got you covered with 101 of the best Christmas activities for kids (and their parents!) to fill your days with festive fun.
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Santa Key
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No fireplace? No problem — a Santa Key is the magic solution. Hang the special key outside your front door before bed, and Santa (and only Santa) will be able to let himself in through your locked door.
Santa’s Boot Prints
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Grab some icing sugar and a boot-print stencil, available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. Create a trail of “snowy” footprints leading from the fireplace to the presents, or from the fireplace to Santa’s snack. The kids will love seeing the “mess” the next morning — our own children always did!
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Santa’s Lost Button
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Leave Santa’s button out for your child on Christmas morning as proof he’s been to visit. Each button comes with a little note from Santa explaining that it popped off his coat, and asking your child to keep it safe until next year. The gold or silver button is inscribed with “Santa Claus,” and usually comes with a length of red string and a sprinkle of fake snow for extra authenticity. You can order it from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.
Santa Left Clues
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Or go a step further with a whole set of clues that Santa’s been and gone. A Santa Evidence Kit typically includes items like a Santa licence, a reindeer bell, an ID badge, a glove, and a growing snow kit. You’ll find kits like this on Etsy.
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Santa Stop Here Sign
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Make sure Santa knows exactly where to stop. You can get signs on a stick for the garden, and we love a light-up “Santa Stop Here” ornament — this one from Amazon.com has a four-hour timer.
Track Santa’s Journey
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Santa is also on X (formerly known as Twitter) — you’ll find him @Santa. You can also follow his journey with a Santa tracker website, such as the NORAD tracker, which shows his progress around the world in real time.
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Santa Treats
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Of course, you’ll want to leave out treats for Santa and his reindeer. A classic combination is a carrot, a cookie, and a small glass of something for Santa himself. Why not go a step further with a proper Santa’s Treat Board to make the whole thing feel a little more special?
Hang Up the Stockings
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The most important part of the Christmas Eve ritual: hanging up the stockings. These candy cane stocking holders are a cute, practical way to attach them to the mantelpiece — also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
Magic Reindeer Food
Another lovely tradition is making Magic Reindeer Food to sprinkle in the back garden before bedtime.
Elf Farewell
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If Elf on the Shelf is part of your household traditions, don’t forget to prepare a final pose and farewell note before the elf heads back to the North Pole for the year.
Thank You Letters
A lovely Christmas Eve activity is to have your kids write a thank-you letter and draw a picture for Santa and his reindeer. Leave their creations out alongside the treats so Santa can enjoy them while he eats.
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Catch Santa on Photo
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Apps like I Caught Santa let you “add” Santa into photos of your home, giving your child playful “proof” that he was really there. It’s free and available for iOS and Android.
Catch Santa on Video
Feeling ambitious? Set up a video camera on Christmas Eve while the kids are watching, then once they’re safely tucked up in bed, film a “Santa” (hello, Dad in costume) delivering the gifts. Watch it back together in the morning for maximum magic.
Charge Up!
Make sure your phone is fully charged before bed so you don’t miss capturing those priceless reactions in the morning.
Answering Questions About Santa
Sooner or later, an older child may ask the big question: “Is there really a Santa Claus?” When that moment comes, this article has thoughtful guidance on how to talk to your child about Santa Claus.
Final Tip!
Make sure you’ve got all the batteries you’ll need for new toys and gadgets bought and ready in advance — nothing dampens Christmas morning like a “batteries not included” surprise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can we leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?
A classic choice is a carrot for the reindeer, a cookie for Santa, and a small drink. You can make it extra special with a dedicated Santa’s Treat Board, or keep it simple with a plate on the mantelpiece.
What is a Christmas Eve box?
It’s a gift box given to children on Christmas Eve to open and enjoy before bed — often containing small treats, new pyjamas, or a festive film to watch as a family. The tradition is thought to come from continental European countries that celebrate their main festive day on the 24th.
Do we need a chimney for Santa to visit?
Not at all. A Santa Key is a popular solution for homes without a fireplace — you hang it outside your front door, and the story goes that only Santa can use it to let himself in.
How do I answer my child when they ask if Santa is real?
This is a personal decision for every family, and there’s no single right answer or right age. Our guide on talking to your child about Santa has some gentle suggestions for approaching the conversation with care.
What are some easy ways to add “proof” that Santa visited?
Boot prints made with icing sugar and a stencil, a lost button with a note, or apps that add Santa into your home photos are all simple, low-effort ways to add a little extra magic on Christmas morning.
Related Articles
- 18 Special Christmas Eve Essentials Perfect for Waiting for Santa
- These Are The Best Places to Hide Christmas Presents
- How to Make a Christmas Eve Box and What to Put in It
- 101 of the Best Christmas Activities for Kids (and Their Parents!)
- How to Get Your Kids to Sleep Early on Christmas Eve
- 39 Great Christmas Movies Picked by Parents
Before You Go…
Loved these Christmas Eve ideas? Bookmark this page so you can come back to it every year, and browse our other festive articles for even more inspiration to make the season special.
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