From personalized letters from Santa to tracking St. Nick’s progress on Christmas Eve, there’s no better time to make (free) memories with your kids this Christmas.
Be sure to have your camera ready to catch their hilarious reactions!
1. Get a free personalized letter sent to your child from Santa.
There are two ways to get a custom letter from Santa sent to your child. First, use an easy fill-in-the-blank form online, then print the customized letter addressed to your child and pop it in the mail!
Or get a real North Pole stamp from the USPS. Just follow these instructions to get a letter for your child sent straight “from the North Pole.”
2. Watch a free, personalized video message from Santa himself.
via VideoBlocks
The custom video will include Santa saying your child’s name and a reminder to be good (score!). Try the Portable North Pole out on your kids.
3. Set up a phone call with Santa and have your child answer the phone.
via YouTube
Just know that the call is automated, and not a real person they can chat with.
You’ll set up a phone call beforehand, then have your child answer the phone when it rings. Santa will address your child by name and get them excited about his upcoming visit!
4. Call Santa and let your kids leave a voicemail telling him what they want for Christmas.
If your child hates visiting Santa Claus in person, this may be a nice way to keep them calm and still get their message to Santa.
Just call the free hotline number, (319) 527-2680, and listen to Santa’s cheerful voicemail message. Your phone service may charge you if you live outside the U.S.
After the beep, let your little ones tell Santa their Christmas wishes!
5. Use the “I Caught Santa” app to prove Santa was in your house.
Just take a photo of your chimney, tree, stockings or wherever you want to “catch” Santa in your home, then add a digital image of him to the photo using the I Caught Santa app.
When your kids wake up, you can show them proof that Santa was actually there!
6. Create a list “from Santa” of how your child must act in order to stay on the Nice List.
Looking for some behavioral incentive for your kiddos this time of year?
Customize a list of behaviors your child must show in order to get on Santa’s Nice List and have your Elf on the Shelf deliver it to them.
RELATED: Tips for Getting the Best Deals on Your Kids’ Favorite Toys
7. Track Santa on Christmas Eve with the Google Earth Santa Tracker or NORAD.
via Twitter
Let your kids track Santa for free on Christmas Eve using the Google Earth Santa Tracker or on NORAD and watch the excitement build.
8. Watch the reindeer cam to see Santa’s team prepare for their big night.
Santa’s reindeer are gearing up for their big 2018 flight, and your kids can watch it happen when the live feed opens.
9. Get free printable coloring pages of Santa and his friends from Free-Coloring-Pages.com.
Set the kids up with a big box of crayons and a stack of free Santa printables while you sneak off to wrap Santa’s gifts.
10. Get a free photo with Santa at Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas.
via All Things Katy
Find the closest Bass Pro Shops and visit their Wonderland to grab a Bass Pass, which will get you a time slot to meet Santa and get a free photo.
Free photos with Santa are also available at Cabelas.
11. Get your pooch’s picture with Santa free at Petsmart.
via The Mercury News
Take your furry friends into Petsmart during the Holiday season to get a free photo with Santa!
12. Print out free advent calendars from Pinterest.
via Mommy Musings
Find a template like this one, grab some cotton balls and glue and you’re all set! Over the month, your kids get to watch Santa’s beard grow.
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