Santa Claus recognizes that a parent’s goal is to fill their child’s life with wonder, joy, and love. As all children are unique, a parent is truly the expert on what works best for their child. One of the most important things for Santa when visiting is to let a child lead the interaction — guiding Santa into their life in a way that is most comfortable for them.

There are some standard things Santa Claus can do to make a visit more sensory-friendly and gentle. For example – lowering my voice, being less animated, leaving my sleigh bells at home with the reindeer, being mindful of personal space, skipping the peppermint breath spray, and so on. But these things are only a beginning point. Parents are the true experts on their children and Santa Claus is grateful for the guidance they provide when planning a memorable Christmas visit.

After receiving the Home Visit Information Form listing things that are special for a child, Santa is happy to email a photo of Santa Claus along with a personal note telling your child how excited Santa is to visit and that he is looking forward to seeing those special things such as – “Can’t wait to meet your kitten”, “Looking forward to seeing your Lego castle”, “You must be so proud of your stuffed animal collection”, etc. The ability to talk with your child prior to a visit with a picture of Santa Claus and a personal note from Santa can help decrease a child’s fear or anxiety.

Santa Claus can visit with a child in the home setting that is most comfortable for them. For example, a child may be most comfortable surrounded by their toys in their usual play area. Following the parent’s guidance, Santa can sit in a chair or on the floor either playing with a toy or just watching the child play. It is best to plan ahead so that the setting is already prepared to include Santa Claus. Sometimes, placing a chair where Santa will sit in advance can help a child get used to the idea of Santa being in their space.

A parent can tell Santa in advance what questions they would like Santa Claus to ask such as “What would you like for Christmas?”, “Do you have a favorite reindeer?”, “Why is that reindeer your favorite?”, or “What is your favorite Christmas movie?”. Your child can then rehearse answering those questions prior to the Santa visit which will help them look forward to the big day.

For photos, some children will run up to Santa for a picture while others will not look at the camera. Santa Claus will try to give lots of opportunities for non-posed photos with fun interactions and spontaneous laughter. Although you may not get a perfect Santa picture the first year, creating a positive and non-stressful memory for your child will create many opportunities in the years to come.

These things are just a few ideas that can contribute to a fun and magical Santa visit for your child. The greatest gift is not always the perfect photograph or a traditional Santa moment — it is creating a positive experience where a child feels comfortable, respected, and included. Santa Paul is grateful for the opportunity to follow each family’s lead and help create Christmas memories that can be treasured for years to come.