Your Santa Home Visit Guide

If possible, choose a place that cannot be seen from the main windows or front gathering area. A nearby driveway, side street or neighboring property—with permission—can help preserve the surprise. Your designated contact should be ready to guide Santa from the vehicle to the entrance.

A sturdy chair with a firm seat and supportive back is ideal. Avoid low chairs, rocking chairs and seats with fragile arms. Leave room around the chair so children can stand or sit nearby and families can gather for photographs.

Place gifts together in a sturdy bag or sack (if they fit in a 30 gal. kitchen trash bag, they will fit in Santa’s toy bag) and label each one clearly in thick and bold permanent marker with the recipient's name directly on the wrapping paper in at least 3 different sides. Name tags, bows and ribbons often fall off in the bag.. Gift bags are gorgeous but their contents often spill out in the toy bag so please avoid them if possible. If names could be difficult to pronounce, include a phonetic spelling. Arrange the handoff before Santa enters so children do not see gifts being transferred.

Names, pronunciations, ages, favorite activities, recent accomplishments and encouraging details can help Santa create personal conversation. Please avoid asking Santa to guarantee a particular gift or use the Naughty List as a threat. The goal is wonder, encouragement and a positive family memory.

That is completely okay. Children should never be forced onto Santa's lap or rushed into a photograph. Santa can begin by speaking from a comfortable distance, reading a story, talking with another family member or letting the child observe. Some of the most meaningful moments happen when a child is allowed to decide when they are ready.

Absolutely. A parent or trusted adult can remain close, sit beside Santa or join the photograph. Feeding and nap schedules can be unpredictable, so Santa will work with the moment rather than expecting a particular pose.

Santa is happy to include family pets if notified in advance and when it is safe and comfortable for everyone. Santa Snow has a separate pet friendly suit to help keep others with pet allergies safe.
During the entrance, keep pets secured until they have had a chance to settle. Please tell Santa in advance about large, anxious or protective animals. Santa appreciates if a Christmas blanket is available to cover his lap to protect in case of a small pet accident during pictures.

Please do. Santa visits are for the entire family, and grown-ups often create some of the most joyful photographs. Consider combinations such as children with Santa, the whole family, grandparents, siblings and a final playful adults-only picture.

As a general guide, allow approximately three to five minutes per child, this is an approximation for storytelling, gift distribution and group photographs. Santa Snow will help you choose the most appropriate experience for your family size and plans.

Please contact Santa Snow as soon as possible if anyone in the household develops a contagious illness. We can review the circumstances and discuss the safest available option. Protecting your family, Santa and the families visited afterward is part of caring for the Christmas community.

Item descriptionYes. Santa Snow and Mrs. Claus are licensed educators and welcome advance information that can make the experience more comfortable and accessible. Helpful details might include preferred communication, sensory sensitivities, mobility access, a need for extra processing time or anything the family would like Santa to understand.

Gratuities are never expected or required. If you feel Santa Snow and Mrs. Claus created an especially meaningful experience and would like to offer a tip, please place it inside a Christmas card or envelope and discreetly hand it to Santa or Mrs. Claus at the end of the visit as they depart. This helps preserve the magic and keeps financial exchanges out of view of the children.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will politely decline food and most beverages during an appearance. This helps protect their costumes from spills and allows them to remain focused on your guests. A bottle of cool water with a straw is always appreciated, especially during longer appearances. The straw helps protect Santa’s beard, makeup and costuming.

A fireplace may look beautiful in photographs, but please do not seat Santa directly beside an active fire or another heat source. Santa’s layered suit, beard, hat and gloves become very warm—even in winter. A comfortable room temperature and a small fan aimed discreetly in Santa’s direction can make an enormous difference. The fan should remain outside the main photograph whenever possible.