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Christmas Eve is full of small rituals: a plate of cookies, new pajamas, a story by the tree. A conversation with Santa can sit comfortably among them. This guide gives you a menu of traditions that fit around a 10-minute call, plus a sample timeline so the evening feels cozy instead of rushed.
First, a note on timing
Live calls run from November 28 to December 24, 2026, and times are limited: evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays and weekend mornings, Pacific time. December 24 falls on a Thursday this year, so check the Christmas Eve call from Santa page and the booking form to see which slots are open. Slots are limited, so if Christmas Eve is the dream, book early. Our post on when to book a Santa video call explains how to plan.
If the evening you want is not available, do not worry. Every tradition below works just as well on another night in December, and it can make the call feel like its own small Christmas event.
Traditions to pair with the call
The pajama countdown
Let your child open one pair of new pajamas an hour before the call. Changing into pajamas is a natural signal that the evening is winding toward bedtime, and it gives the call a cozy backdrop. If your child is nervous, pajamas also mean they are comfortable and ready to snuggle.
Cookies for Santa, pre-call edition
Many families bake cookies or set out a plate on Christmas Eve night. You can do a version of this before the call. Decorate two or three cookies together that afternoon and keep them nearby. Then your child has something to hold, and Santa can ask about the baking. Try putting a detail in the booking form's fun facts, such as "Ellie decorated the gingerbread star with green sprinkles."
The reindeer snack
A bowl of oats and glitter in the yard is a classic. Moving the mixing to the late afternoon makes a good warm-up activity. While you stir, practice what your child might say: "Hi Santa! We made reindeer food." Once the call starts, they already have something to tell him.
The letter or drawing
Some children like to hold up a drawing for Santa. Keep it simple: one sheet, bright colors, held up for a few seconds. If your child wrote a wish list, you can mention the same items in the booking form. Our tips for writing a wish list can help.
The family reading
Many families read a Christmas story on the eve. If the call is before bedtime, schedule the story afterward. It gives children a calming activity that wraps up the excitement, and the call becomes the lively highlight before the quiet part.
A walk to look at lights
If you can fit it in, a neighborhood stroll to see lights is a lovely way to burn off nervous energy. Just leave plenty of time to get home, warm up and sit down before the call.
A sample timeline for a Christmas Eve evening call
Here is one way to organize an evening. Adjust it to your call time.
- 1
Afternoon: bake and decorate
Two or three cookies, no pressure.
- 2
Early evening: light dinner
Skip heavy sweets so children are not wired.
- 3
45 minutes before: pajamas
Brush teeth now so bedtime is smooth later.
- 4
30 minutes before: quiet play
A puzzle or coloring helps focus.
- 5
15 minutes before: set up the screen
Test your Wi-Fi, charge the device and open the Meet link. See set up a Santa call corner at home for ideas.
- 6
Call time: 10 minutes with Santa
Stay close but let your child lead.
- 7
After the call: story and snuggles
Read a favorite book or sing a song.
- 8
Bedtime
Dim lights and keep the mood calm.
The Meet link arrives by email right after you book, and a reminder comes before the call. No account is needed to click the link, so you do not need to set anything up in advance beyond testing your device.
Making it work with more than one child
If you have several children, plan the call so that everyone gets a moment. The booking form takes one child's name, age, wish list and fun facts. Add siblings' names, ages and a wish or two to the fun facts box, and Santa can greet them. The call is still 10 minutes in total, so each child gets a few minutes.
For a wider age range, put the youngest on a lap first, then let older children chat. If a toddler loses interest, that is fine. Let them wander off with a snack while the big kids talk. Read keeping the magic for younger siblings for more.
What about children who are not sleepy?
Christmas Eve excitement can lead to a late night. A few things help.
Keep the call before the big wind-down
A call that ends an hour before bed gives children time to settle.
Follow the call with something quiet
A bath, a book and soft music beat screens.
Avoid promising too much
Say "Santa has a long night ahead, so he needs us to be in bed early" rather than a countdown to a certain time.
Traditions for the morning after
If you want the magic to carry into Christmas morning, a personalized Santa video message is a gentle way to do it. It is about 30 seconds, $19, delivered starting December 10 and within 3 days after that, and the last order is December 21. Our guide on a Christmas morning reveal gives step-by-step ideas.
Keep the evening flexible
Perfect Christmas Eves are rare. Some children get shy, some melt down and some fall asleep early. That is all normal. A call that lasts three minutes of chatting and seven minutes of hiding behind a blanket still counts. The goal is a happy memory, not a perfect performance.
When you are ready, you can book a live call with Santa for $39 and have the whole evening built around it. If you have questions about how things work, the how it works page walks through the steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a call on Christmas Eve?
Live calls run through December 24, 2026, but times are limited and vary by day. Check the booking page to see what is open.
How long is the call?
The call is 10 minutes, one-on-one with Santa on Google Meet. Family can sit with your child at home.
What if I need to change my booking?
Call 855-916-9921 and we will help you with it.
Can siblings join the call?
Yes. Add their names, ages and a wish or two to the fun facts box on the booking form so Santa can greet them. The call is still 10 minutes in total.