Here Comes Santa Claus…Get Ready with These Tips and Tricks!

Jill Holtz

November 11, 2021

here comes santa claus

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Here comes Santa Claus and what an exciting time of year this is – but are you ready? We asked the Mykidstime team what advice, tips and clever tricks they had up their Santa’s Helper sleeves for making your Christmas Eve easy and hassle-free!

In my experience, Christmas Eve can sometimes end up being a bit stressful! Between remembering where the heck you hid all the presents and wrapping things at the last minute, you definitely don’t want to forget anything!

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Here Comes Santa Claus – It’s Time to Get Ready

Planning everything in advance will definitely ensure everything goes smoothly for the arrival of The Big Man. So make your own secret Santa-arrival-prep-list and you’ll be all set to sit back and watch the magical expressions of wonder on your child’s face on Christmas morning!

Video Chat With Santa

video chats with santa

Organise a video chat with Santa himself! Schedule your appointment with Santa, selecting the date and time you would like Santa to call you.

Once it is time for your appointment with Santa you click the link received in the email confirmation and wait for Santa to appear!

Personalised Video Messages from Santa

portable north pole santa

Portable North Pole (PNP) is an online platform used by Santa and his elves to send personalised video messages and calls, perfect for a special moment for your child.

There are several themed options to choose from, and we recommend setting aside some time to add in your child’s info (what they are hoping for for Christmas, age, interests, etc) so the video can be as personalised as possible.

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Santa Wrapping Paper

If you plan to wrap Santa’s presents, be sure to pick a completely different pattern for wrapping the presents from him.

A top tip from me (based on bitter experience!) is to buy an extra roll, as you don’t want to run out and use the same as the regular non-Santa presents. You can always use it again next year or 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, you could create your own Santa Cam. Take a simple plain ball ornament, paint a black camera lens symbol in the centre. At the top, write ‘Santa Cam’ and at the bottom, ‘Naughty or Nice?’ – hang it on the tree so your kids think Santa Claus is watching whether or not they are behaving.

Create a Christmas Eve Box

christmas eve box

A Christmas Eve Box is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a gift box that you give your child on Christmas Eve to open to enjoy. The origins are apparently from continental European countries, many of whom celebrate the main event on Christmas Eve itself rather than Christmas Day.

Prime the ‘Sold Out’ Present

If you have managed to secure your child’s most coveted gift, you could drop hints and prime your child that only Santa can find that ‘sold out’ present. Then on Christmas Day watch their faces light up when they realise Santa managed to secure one and went to the trouble for them.

If, on the other hand, you haven’t been successful on the gift front, we find it is always a great idea to tell your child that Santa will bring him/her something they would like just as much and is the master of finding a fun alternative.

Don’t Miss…

We’ve got you covered with 101 of the best Christmas activities for kids (and their parents!) that will fill your days with festive fun!

Santa Key

magic santa key

If you don’t have a fireplace, don’t panic – a Santa Key is the magic solution!

You hang the special key outside your front door before going to bed, and then Santa (and only Santa) will be able to easily enter through your locked front door.

Santa’s Boot Prints

You’ll need some icing sugar and a boot print stencil, available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

Create a series of ‘snowy’ footprints around the house, leading from the fireplace to your child’s presents or from the fireplace to Santa’s snack. Get ready to make a fuss of the ‘mess’ Santa left in your house the next morning – our kids always loved seeing my (pretend) outrage!

Santa’s Lost Button

santa's button

Leave Santa’s button out for your child on Christmas morning as a little bit of evidence that Santa has been to visit. Each button comes with a little note from Santa describing how he couldn’t find his button after it popped off his coat and asks you to keep it safe for him until next Christmas. Along with the note from Santa, the gold or silver button has Santa Claus inscribed on it, and there’s a little piece of red string and some snow for you to sprinkle around for extra authenticity.

You can order Santa’s button on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

Santa Left Clues

santa evidence kit

…Or go even one step further and leave lots of clues that Santa has been! The Santa Evidence Kit contains Santa’s License, Reindeer Bell, Santa’s ID Badge, Santa’s Glove, Growing Snow Kit and more fun items.

You can get this kit on Etsy.

Santa Stop Here Sign

santa stop here amazon.com light up ornament

You might want a Santa Stop Here sign to make sure he knows to stop at your place. You can get the ones on a stick for the garden, and we love this cute light up Santa Stop Here sign. It has a 4 hour timer on it and is available from Amazon.com.

Track Santa’s Journey

norad santa tracker

Did you know that Santa is on Twitter?! You’ll find him @Santa. Follow Santa’s journey using a Santa tracker website, such as the Norad tracker, which shows Santa’s progress around the world in real time!

Santa Treats

https://www.etsy.com/ie/listing/1125167137/santa-treat-tray

Of course you will want to leave out treats for Mr Claus and his favourite reindeer. We always leave out a carrot, a cookie and a glass of whisky (!).

Why not go a step beyond a plate and personalise the experience with a Santa’s Treat Board.

Hang up the Stockings

candy cane stocking holders

Of course the most important part of the Christmas Eve ritual is hanging up the stockings. We thought these candy cane stocking holders looked super cute and handy for attaching them to the mantelpiece. Also available from Amazon.co.ukand Amazon.com.

Magic Reindeer Food

Another tradition in our house is to make Magic Reindeer Food which we sprinkle in the back garden before bedtime.

Elf Farewell

Elf on the Shelf name ideas - Mykidstime

If you are doing Elf on the Shelf in your house then don’t forget to prepare a final pose and farewell note to say goodbye til next year.

Thank You Letters

A great Christmas Eve activity is to get your kids to write a thank you letter and draw a special picture for Santa and his reindeer. Leave their creations out with the treats for Santa, and he can enjoy them while he eats!

Catch Santa on Photo

i caught santa

Use an app like I Caught Santa that lets you “add” Santa to photos of your home, so that you can show your child “proof” of them being there. The app is free and available for iOS and Android.

Catch Santa on Video

If you really want to go mad, you could catch Santa on video! You need to set up a video camera with your kids on Christmas Eve. Then when they are safely tucked up in bed, film Dad dressed as Santa delivering gifts. Then watch it in the morning with the kids!

Charge Up!

Make sure to charge your phone fully for the morning to get photos/video of the kids’ reactions.

Answering Questions About Santa

When your older child gets curious or finally asks the dreaded question “Is there really a Santa Claus?” then check this article out for tips on how to talk to your child about Santa Claus.

Final Tip!

Make sure you have all the batteries you’ll need for new toys and gadgets in the morning bought in advance!

here comes santa claus

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Published On: November 11th, 2021 / Categories: For Parents / Last Updated: December 17th, 2022 / Tags: , /

About the Author: Jill Holtz

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Jill is one of the co-founders of Mykidstime and a mum of 2 girls

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