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The look on a child's face when Santa says their name is the thing parents most want to keep. If you would like to film your own side of the call, a little planning goes a long way. This guide covers where to put the phone, how to handle sound and light and when to simply enjoy the moment. A note up front: any footage is yours to capture on your own phone, and only if you choose to.
Decide if you want to film at all
Some parents love having the clip. Others find that holding a phone makes them miss the real moment. Both are fine. Ask yourself:
- Will I be more present with the phone in hand or without it?
- Is there another adult who can handle filming while I sit beside my child?
- Would my child be bothered by a camera pointed at them?
If your child is shy or nervous, skip filming, or place the phone out of sight, so the call stays intimate. A frightened child who also feels watched can get more worried. Our post on kids who are scared of Santa has more on that.
What you need
You do not need special gear.
A second device
If your child is using a laptop or tablet to talk to Santa, use your phone for filming. You cannot use the same device for both without disrupting the call.
A small stand or stack of books
A steady phone beats a shaky one every time.
Good light
A lamp or window in front of your child, not behind them.
A quiet room
Turn off the TV and silence notifications.
Where to place the camera
The goal is to capture your child's face and the screen glow without getting in the way.
Option 1: over the shoulder
Place the phone behind and slightly to one side of your child, aimed at their face from a three-quarter angle. You will catch their expressions and a bit of the screen. This is the most natural angle.
Option 2: side angle
Set the phone on a shelf or table beside the screen, facing your child. This captures their whole upper body and any waving or dancing.
Option 3: wide shot
Put the phone across the room and film the whole scene: child, parent, tree and screen. It is less intimate, but it tells the story of the evening and works well when more than one child is on the call.
Whichever you choose, hold the phone horizontally if you plan to share the clip on a TV or computer. Vertical works for social posts, but wide shots usually look better for family keepsakes.
Handling sound
A Santa call has two sources of sound: Santa's voice and your child's. To catch both:
- Turn the call volume up a little more than normal, so the phone's microphone can hear Santa.
- Keep the room quiet so the child's voice stays clear.
- Place the phone close enough to your child that their words come through but not so close that it feels like a camera in their face.
Test it beforehand. Do a ten-second clip with someone playing a video on the call device, then play it back. If Santa's voice is faint, move the phone closer to the speaker or raise the volume.
Setting up lighting
You do not need lights. You need to avoid a few problems.
Backlighting
If your child sits in front of a bright window, their face turns into a silhouette. Face them toward the window, or close the blinds.
Screen glare
A very bright laptop can wash out a face. Lower the screen brightness a little.
Dark rooms
Add a lamp, or turn on the Christmas tree lights near your child. Warm light is also cozy.
The step-by-step for the day
- 1
Charge both devices
Plug in the phone and the call device the day before.
- 2
Free up storage
A ten-minute video needs room. Clear space on your phone.
- 3
Set up the camera 15 minutes early
Frame the shot while your child is still playing.
- 4
Start filming before the call begins
Press record as Santa appears, so you catch the first reaction.
- 5
Stay quiet and keep your hands still
Resist the urge to narrate.
- 6
Stop after the call ends
Keep going for 20 or 30 seconds to catch your child's reaction afterward, which is often the best part.
Tips for natural footage
Do not direct
Avoid telling your child to "say hi" or "smile" during the call. The best clips are the ones where the child does what they do.
Let siblings be seen
If brothers and sisters are on the call, make sure the frame includes everyone. Their names, ages and a wish or two can go in the fun facts box when you book, so Santa can greet them. The call is 10 minutes total. See keeping the magic for younger siblings.
Capture the aftermath
When the call ends, ask your child, "What was your favorite part?" Their answer, in their own words, is as precious as the call itself.
Keep it short
You do not need all 10 minutes. Pick the best 30 seconds to share with family, and keep the full file for yourself.
What to do with the footage
Make a yearly montage
Add each year's clip to a folder and watch them all in December.
Send a clip to loved ones
Share just the highlights, and use the clip, not the live call, for relatives who could not be there.
Pair it with a message
A personalized Santa video message is about 30 seconds, $19, and comes as a private link you can watch and download, so you can store it next to your own clip.
Be kind to your future self
Label your files with the year and the child's name. Back them up to a second place. Five years from now, you will be glad you did.
Ready to plan the call?
Once you have your filming plan, book a live Santa call for $39, share your child's name, age, wish list and fun facts and pick a time. For a calm space to film in, see set up a Santa call corner at home. For more ideas on making it memorable, read how to make a Santa video call magical.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep a video of the call?
Any footage is up to you. If you would like a keepsake, you can film your own side of the call on a phone, only if you choose to.
Can I use the same device for the call and for filming?
It is better to use a second device, such as your phone, for filming. That keeps the call running smoothly on the first device.
What if my child is nervous about being filmed?
Skip it or hide the phone. A relaxed child makes for a better call, and you can still talk about the memory together afterward.
Is there a way to keep something from Santa without filming?
A personalized Santa video message comes with a private link to watch and download, so you can keep it.