Santa visit checklist for home, office, or event

Please contact us at santa@northstar-santa.com if you require additional information.

Preparing the setting

Think back to your best Santa experience—maybe that time he showed up with a belly laugh instead of a belly ache!
Now, let’s whip up some holiday magic and create a memorable moment for these young elves that they'll cherish forever (and maybe tell their kids about someday)!
Have a parking space near the entrance for Santa. Santa loves to spread cheer, so he’ll stop and chat with anyone he meets on his way to the event! You never know who might catch his sparkling eye!
Select a sturdy, comfortable chair for Santa. Remember, there will be kids of all ages who will sit on Santa's lap. Chairs from the living room or dining room are perfect. Please avoid using folding or collapsible chairs for everyone’s safety.
Find a festive, clutter-free background that’s picture-perfect! A cozy tree, a fireplace decked with stockings, or twinkling lights will work wonders. Just steer clear of mirrors and windows—they’ll reflect light and ruin those magical shots. Remember that the background will be in the pictures forever, so choose wisely!

Timing matters

Make sure the kids are well-fed and well-rested before Santa arrives—sugar crashes are powerful forces!
Give yourself some buffer time so no one feels rushed; after all, holiday magic works best when everyone is relaxed.
Schedule Santa to arrive after all the guests have settled in, ensuring he can make a grand entrance that will leave everyone in awe!

Secret Logistics

If Santa is handing out gifts, please have them ready and labeled!
If he’s bringing them in his sack, we’ll need a spot for Santa to retrieve them—perhaps a designated helper can meet him outside the event.
Keep the wrapping paper, scissors, and other gift-wrapping items well hidden for the ultimate surprise!
Make sure the names on the gifts are clearly legible to avoid any mix-ups—after all, we wouldn’t want Santa delivering a teddy bear to Uncle Bob!
Lastly, assign one adult as Santa's helper to manage photos, music, cues, and gift-giving—because even Santa could use a trusty elf!

Santa’s got a few fun questions up his sleeve!

Encourage the little elves to be ready with their Christmas wish lists
He'll want to know not just what they want for Christmas, but also what acts of kindness they’ve been up to lately.
And get ready for this one: he might ask what they’re most proud of about themselves!
So, remind them to think of something good—Santa loves to hear about their heroic deeds, like sharing toys or being super helpful (even if it’s just cleaning up crumbs from cookie time)!

During the visit

Keep cameras handy for candid moments, not just the posed ones.
Let the children take their time; Some may warm up to Santa slowly. It's important not to pressure them into engaging if they're not ready. With patience, Santa will attempt to make all the children feel included and excited!
Keep pets in another room if they're excitable.
If the kids are curious about why Santa is arriving by car: Santa will chuckle and say that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a strict rule—he can only fly on Christmas Eve! After all, they want to keep his reindeer safe and make sure no planes are getting a surprise visit from a flying sleigh!

After Santa departs

Stock up on tasty distractions such as cookies, hot cocoa, or fun activities to keep the holiday spirit alive!
If gifts are given, remind the kids to savor the joy of unwrapping each one slowly, rather than rushing through them all at once.
Encourage them to share the joy of the event with family and friends—it’s all about spreading that festive cheer!