Guides for Christmas Eve
Short, practical guides for parents who want a little extra magic this year.
- How to take a great photo of your Christmas tree
Six quick tips for a sharp, glowing photo of your Christmas tree and living room with any phone. Takes under a minute.
- How to plan a magical Christmas morning reveal
A simple five-minute plan for Christmas morning: how to set the scene on Christmas Eve and show your kids that Santa stopped by.
- 12 ways to leave proof that Santa visited
Easy ideas to show kids Santa came on Christmas Eve: boot prints, a half-eaten cookie, a thank-you note, reindeer crumbs and more.
- What to leave out for Santa and his reindeer
Cookies and milk, mince pies and sherry, or a cold drink in the summer heat: what families in the US, UK, Australia and beyond leave out for Santa.
- 15 Christmas Eve traditions for families with kids
Easy Christmas Eve traditions for families: new pajamas, a Christmas Eve box, tracking Santa, a reindeer walk, and quiet ideas for bedtime.
- How to keep the Santa magic alive when kids start asking questions
What to say when kids ask if Santa is real, how to answer tricky questions, and ideas to keep the magic going one more year.
- How to write a letter from Santa (with examples)
Write a reply letter from Santa your child will believe: what to include, three short examples, and tips so it does not look like your handwriting.
- NORAD vs Google Santa Tracker, and how to track Santa on Christmas Eve
How the NORAD and Google Santa trackers work, when live tracking starts on Christmas Eve, and how to make tracking Santa a family tradition.
- Christmas Eve box ideas for kids of every age
What to put in a Christmas Eve box: ideas for toddlers, school-age kids and teens, plus a simple checklist and ways to keep the cost low.
- Father Christmas traditions in the UK
British Father Christmas traditions: letters up the chimney, stockings on the bed, a mince pie and sherry, and how he differs from Santa.
- Christmas in summer, the Australian and New Zealand way
How Australia and New Zealand celebrate a summer Christmas: beach days, barbecues, Carols by Candlelight, and what Santa wears when it is 35 degrees.
- How to wrap presents from Santa so kids never guess
Tips to make Santa's presents look different from yours: Santa-only wrapping paper, a different hand on the tags, hiding spots, and unwrapped gifts.
- Santa's reindeer names and fun facts for kids
All nine of Santa's reindeer in order: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph, with where the names came from.
- 24 Christmas countdown ideas for kids
Fun ways to count down to Christmas with kids: activity advent calendars, a book a day, a paper chain, kindness ideas and small daily surprises.
- How does Santa get in without a chimney?
What to tell kids who have no chimney: Santa's magic key, the front door, the window, and simple ways to make each answer feel real.
- 20 Christmas elf arrival ideas for kids
Fun ways for your Christmas elf to arrive: a welcome letter, a hot cocoa bath, a North Pole breakfast, a zip line entrance and more easy ideas.
- 30 easy Christmas elf ideas for busy nights
Quick Christmas elf ideas you can set up in two minutes: elf in the fridge, toilet paper snowball fight, candy cane fishing and more for late nights.
- Someone touched the elf! What to do next
A child touched the Christmas elf? How to bring the elf magic back: a sprinkle of cinnamon, a sorry note to Santa, and what to say to an upset child.
- Christmas elf goodbye ideas, with a sample letter
Ways for your Christmas elf to say goodbye on Christmas Eve: a goodbye letter, a last treat, a hug before it flies home and a note for next year.
- 150 Christmas elf names for your family's elf
Find a name for your family's Christmas elf: funny elf names, cute names for girl and boy elves, classic names and tips to let the kids choose.
- Forgot to move the elf? 15 excuses kids believe
Forgot to move the Christmas elf last night? 15 quick excuses kids believe, notes the elf can leave, and how to remember tomorrow night.
- 20 unique Christmas gifts for kids that are not more toys
Unique Christmas gift ideas for kids that are not more toys: experiences, keepsakes, gifts that come by email, and ideas for grandparents far away.