How to Convince Your Kids Santa is Real
Keep the magic of Christmas alive at your house a little longer with these Santa-savvy tips and tricks
Joanna Tovia
5 December 2016
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
The tree is laden with decorations, the house is aglow with colourful Christmas lights and glittering tinsel, and the presents are stashed away out of sight, ready to be placed under the tree on Christmas Eve. Believing that Santa comes in the night to bring presents just for them is a truly magical part of being a child, and the longer they think he’s real, the more joyous Christmas will be … for them and you! With a little forethought, us grown-ups can employ a few tried and tested tricks to keep little believers believing, and we’re sure to have plenty of fun along the way.
Get excited with them
It’s pretty amazing that a big man in red comes to your house all the way from the North Pole to bring presents, right? As in everything, young kids will follow your lead. If you’re bursting with excitement that Santa is almost here, and keep it up every year (even when your older kids stop believing), you’ll keep the magic alive.
It’s pretty amazing that a big man in red comes to your house all the way from the North Pole to bring presents, right? As in everything, young kids will follow your lead. If you’re bursting with excitement that Santa is almost here, and keep it up every year (even when your older kids stop believing), you’ll keep the magic alive.
It can be tempting to dampen children’s excitement levels when it gets a little too loud or boisterous – we all need to do what we can to preserve our sanity, after all. But if they can’t go a little crazy with excitement over Christmas, when can they? Loosen the reins a little and enjoy the moment … they’ll grow up before you know it.
Have Santa call you
Excitement is one thing, but when it’s Christmas Eve and your kids are having trouble winding down for sleep, it might be time to have Santa call. The app Parents Calling Santa allows you to schedule a call from the big man himself. When the phone rings, the kids will see who’s calling and then put the phone on speaker.
They’ll then hear one of three options you selected earlier – Santa telling them how good they’ve been and that they can expect toys on Christmas morning; a calm, friendly warning that they need to be good in order for toys to arrive; or a gentle but firm reminder that they might find a lump of coal under the tree unless they turn things around.
Excitement is one thing, but when it’s Christmas Eve and your kids are having trouble winding down for sleep, it might be time to have Santa call. The app Parents Calling Santa allows you to schedule a call from the big man himself. When the phone rings, the kids will see who’s calling and then put the phone on speaker.
They’ll then hear one of three options you selected earlier – Santa telling them how good they’ve been and that they can expect toys on Christmas morning; a calm, friendly warning that they need to be good in order for toys to arrive; or a gentle but firm reminder that they might find a lump of coal under the tree unless they turn things around.
Do a countdown
A countdown is a sure way to build up the anticipation for Santa’s arrival. And for those kids expressing a bit of doubt about Santa’s existence? A little reminder like this is sure to keep the Christmas spirit alive: ‘Those who you don’t believe, don’t receive!’
A countdown is a sure way to build up the anticipation for Santa’s arrival. And for those kids expressing a bit of doubt about Santa’s existence? A little reminder like this is sure to keep the Christmas spirit alive: ‘Those who you don’t believe, don’t receive!’
An Advent calendar is another way to count down to Christmas. Just don’t be too generous or you’ll have to dig just as deep every year – a marble, lolly, or stationery item will suffice. This year, we’re trying something new – each day the kids find a piece or two of a lego set in the Advent calendar. The instructions will be the final gift.
11 Advent calendars to craft at home
11 Advent calendars to craft at home
Get all Christmassy
This is the time to decorate the tree, sure, but what about the rest of the house? A few decorations in each of your kids’ rooms will bring some festive cheer.
This is the time to decorate the tree, sure, but what about the rest of the house? A few decorations in each of your kids’ rooms will bring some festive cheer.
Break out the Christmas books (store them with the decorations you pack away so only see them at this time of year) and set up a special spot to read them. Even older kids will want to get in on the action.
Make Santa feel welcome
If you don’t have a fireplace, take the trouble to let Santa know which door he should come in with a sign. Why would you make the effort if Santa wasn’t real? Kids would also love making the sign themselves, with crayons and coloured pencils on paper – sticky tape the sign to the door and be sure to take a photo of it there to show them when they’re all grown up.
If you don’t have a fireplace, take the trouble to let Santa know which door he should come in with a sign. Why would you make the effort if Santa wasn’t real? Kids would also love making the sign themselves, with crayons and coloured pencils on paper – sticky tape the sign to the door and be sure to take a photo of it there to show them when they’re all grown up.
Write a letter
Leaving a letter out for Santa on Christmas Eve is a nice alternative to sending one that asks for presents ahead of time. Suggest that your child writes a letter of thanks for coming, wishing him a merry Christmas too. A homemade letter holder like this one can become a special treasure for a child, especially if they find a letter in there from Santa in place of the one written for him.
A little praise for what he or she did well that year (nice manners) along with some encouragement for what to do better (help Mum and Dad more, keep your room clean) adds an authentic touch. Just be sure not to use your own handwriting – kids might be gullible when it comes to Christmas, but you’d be surprised what they know about you.
Leaving a letter out for Santa on Christmas Eve is a nice alternative to sending one that asks for presents ahead of time. Suggest that your child writes a letter of thanks for coming, wishing him a merry Christmas too. A homemade letter holder like this one can become a special treasure for a child, especially if they find a letter in there from Santa in place of the one written for him.
A little praise for what he or she did well that year (nice manners) along with some encouragement for what to do better (help Mum and Dad more, keep your room clean) adds an authentic touch. Just be sure not to use your own handwriting – kids might be gullible when it comes to Christmas, but you’d be surprised what they know about you.
Leave out some delicious treats
Take the time to bake something special for Santa rather than whatever biscuits you happen to have in the cupboard. He’s a special guy, after all, and he’ll be hungry after all that sleigh travel to deliver the presents. Involve your kids in the baking and presentation, and enjoy this precious time.
10 tips for stress-free holiday baking
Take the time to bake something special for Santa rather than whatever biscuits you happen to have in the cupboard. He’s a special guy, after all, and he’ll be hungry after all that sleigh travel to deliver the presents. Involve your kids in the baking and presentation, and enjoy this precious time.
10 tips for stress-free holiday baking
Don’t forget the reindeer! A carrot for each of them – in case you’ve forgotten, there are nine: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. Tie a name tag on each carrot if your children are really getting into it.
Leave a mess of half-eaten carrots and biscuit crumbs as evidence for kids to stumble upon the next morning.
Leave a mess of half-eaten carrots and biscuit crumbs as evidence for kids to stumble upon the next morning.
Look for Rudolph’s nose
As it gets dark on Christmas Eve, spend some time with the kids staring into the blackness out the window to see if you can spot a red dot in the sky. If you don’t hear “I think I see it!”, say it yourself, then point, even if it’s Mars. If you’re worried about lying to your children, I get it, but I’m all for making childhood as magical as can be, especially at Christmas time.
As it gets dark on Christmas Eve, spend some time with the kids staring into the blackness out the window to see if you can spot a red dot in the sky. If you don’t hear “I think I see it!”, say it yourself, then point, even if it’s Mars. If you’re worried about lying to your children, I get it, but I’m all for making childhood as magical as can be, especially at Christmas time.
Think through your answers
If Mum and Dad are on the same page (and grandparents, relatives, and close friends too, if your kids see a lot of them), answering kids’ questions about elves, toy making, sitting on Santa’s knee in shopping centres and logistics around toy delivery will be all the more convincing. If they stump you with a tricky one, you can always ask what they think the answer might be. Not knowing all the answers yourself can be all the more authentic – you haven’t actually seen or spoken to Santa either, remember?
If Mum and Dad are on the same page (and grandparents, relatives, and close friends too, if your kids see a lot of them), answering kids’ questions about elves, toy making, sitting on Santa’s knee in shopping centres and logistics around toy delivery will be all the more convincing. If they stump you with a tricky one, you can always ask what they think the answer might be. Not knowing all the answers yourself can be all the more authentic – you haven’t actually seen or spoken to Santa either, remember?
Give plausible presents
As much as it would help you out to include some practical presents under the tree, resist the urge. School uniforms and stationery or socks and undies don’t rate very highly on a child’s wish list, and will ring alarm bells if they already have suspicions that you are in fact Santa.
As much as it would help you out to include some practical presents under the tree, resist the urge. School uniforms and stationery or socks and undies don’t rate very highly on a child’s wish list, and will ring alarm bells if they already have suspicions that you are in fact Santa.
Leave some clues
As well as the biscuits crumbs and carrot stubs you’ve already prepared, step into Santa’s big black boots and think through what other evidence he’d unwittingly leave behind. If your dog usually sleeps in the house, let him into the backyard before your kids wake up, as if Santa accidentally let him out. “Where’s Fido?” you could ask, sleepily, and let the kids jump to their own conclusions.
As well as the biscuits crumbs and carrot stubs you’ve already prepared, step into Santa’s big black boots and think through what other evidence he’d unwittingly leave behind. If your dog usually sleeps in the house, let him into the backyard before your kids wake up, as if Santa accidentally let him out. “Where’s Fido?” you could ask, sleepily, and let the kids jump to their own conclusions.
A dusting of soot or gold glitter around the fireplace is hard to refute, or why not plant some snowy footprints on the front door? It’s simply a matter of standing in a tray of flour, then stepping onto the doormat in a pair of man-sized boots.
Check out more beautiful brick fireplaces
Check out more beautiful brick fireplaces
Watch Christmas movies together
Nothing stokes the coals of a home’s Christmas spirit like a festive movie or two in the lead-up to the big day. Snuggle up, make some popcorn, and give the movie your full attention – being together is what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?
TELL US
Do you have ideas to add? Share your tips in the Comments below and Merry Christmas!
MORE
Read more Chrismassy stories
Nothing stokes the coals of a home’s Christmas spirit like a festive movie or two in the lead-up to the big day. Snuggle up, make some popcorn, and give the movie your full attention – being together is what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?
TELL US
Do you have ideas to add? Share your tips in the Comments below and Merry Christmas!
MORE
Read more Chrismassy stories
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Renovating Advice
How Do I Find, Assess & Hire the Right People for My Renovation?
Do you need a kitchen designer or a joiner? An architect or an interior designer? Find out with our essential reno guide
Full Story
Renovation Guides
What Key Measurements & Room Dimensions Should I Know for a Reno?
Read practical information about key room measurements and minimum clearances for fittings and fixtures in every room
Full Story
Bedrooms
12 Decorating Tips to Make Any Bedroom Look Better
By Anne Ellard
Want to know how to make your bedroom look better? Here are 12 great tricks
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Bathroom Expert Advice
5 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Funky (and How to Fix the Problem)
A plumber reveals five reasons your bathroom might smell like sewage or emanate a musty odour
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Living Rooms
The Full Picture: How High Should Your TV Be?
By Matt Clawson
We look at an important question to consider when locating your television: how high should you set it?
Full Story
Bathrooms
All the Dimensions You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Makeover
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bathroom by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
Renovation Guides
How to Control the Cost of Your Renovation, Room by Room
Where to save, where to spend (and all the tricks in between) for keeping the cost of your renovation on track
Full Story
Architecture
Renovation Insight: How to Choose an Architect
A great architect can turn your dream home into reality – three industry experts reveal where to look for the right one
Full Story
I like your Christmas Queenie - I have done that in a similar sort of way in terms of recounting the traditional story of Saint Nicholas being the bearer of gifts for people in need, in the hope of introducing to them the spirit of Christmas being about giving as well as receiving. We talk about the religious aspect because their dad and I believe that to know the story of Christmas and Easter is to understand their Christian roots and from there we talk about other religious beliefs so that they will learn tolerance and understanding. Their mother doesn't want for them 'to have religion shoved down their throat' (to quote her) so we are careful how we tread without ignoring her or Christianity. Merry Christmas
All your stories are wonderful times of family togetherness and fun. With four of our seven living overseas now, and two others at either end of the country, I'm getting nostalgic! Oh to have those times again! Happy Christmas everyone!
Gift given was the focus and not receiving as well as celebrating the gift giving onthe 24th with religious beliefs celebrated on the 25th!