How to show your kids the Santa video on Christmas morning

The short answer

Show the video on Christmas morning, before the presents are opened, on the biggest screen you have. Put the real presents where Santa left them in the video. Say you "checked the camera" and let the children watch it once or twice. Then open the presents.

A Santa video works best when the story around it is simple. Here is a plan that takes five minutes.

Before Christmas Eve

  • Download the video. Save it to your phone so you do not need Wi-Fi on Christmas morning. With Santa Stopped By, you can watch and download your video for 30 days.
  • Watch it alone first. Check where Santa puts the presents.
  • Keep the room the same. The tree, the lights and the furniture should look like your photo.

On Christmas Eve

  • Put the presents where Santa leaves them in the video.
  • Leave the tree lights on, if that is safe in your home.
  • Add a small detail: a half-eaten cookie, an empty milk glass, a boot print.

On Christmas morning

  1. Before the presents, say: "Let's check if the camera saw anything last night."
  2. Play it on the TV if you can. Cast it from your phone, or plug the phone into the TV.
  3. Turn the sound up. The best moment is when Santa says each child's name.
  4. Watch it twice. The second time, kids look at the details.
  5. Then open the presents. The video leads into the best part of the morning.

If an older child has questions

Keep it light. "What do you think?" is a good answer. Many families use the video as a last, fun year of the magic, and older siblings enjoy helping to keep the secret for the younger ones.

Questions

When should I show my kids the Santa video?

Christmas morning, before the presents are opened, works best. Some families show it on Christmas Eve night after the children go to sleep, "caught" by the camera.

How do I play the Santa video on my TV?

Download the video to your phone, then cast it to the TV or connect the phone with a cable. You can also open the watch link on a smart TV browser.

Can I share the video with grandparents?

Yes. Download the video and send it, or share the watch link. Santa Stopped By keeps the watch link open for 30 days.