That camping trip your family still talks about? Science says it’s worth more than any toy under the tree.
Santa Claus might live at the North Pole, but reaching him is easier now than ever before.
And that’s good news because kids today are savvy. They Google everything, lead with curiosity, ask big questions and aren’t afraid to challenge family traditions that they think could be “myths.”
That’s why, at some point, nearly every child asks the question parents dread the most: “Is Santa real?”
But instead of dodging questions about Santa’s existence, what if you could give them proof? What if you could call Santa Claus? Or even have them read a personalized letter from Santa Claus?
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Well, welcome to 2025 — where Santa Claus is just a phone call (or letter) away.
How to call Santa Claus this holiday season
There are two main ways to reach Santa Claus by phone.
The most popular way is to call Santa Claus’ phone number and leave a voice message directly on the big man in red’s voicemail — which can be reached by calling 605-313-0691.
According to Today.com, kids will be delighted with a message from Santa himself:
“Merry Christmas! This is Santa Claus and you have reached my personal hotline,” he says on the phone.
“We have been very busy making all of those toys to deliver on Christmas morning and I want you to know that your family loves you very much — and so do I. So, be good and don’t forget to always listen to your parents,” he adds.
“Santa’s Hotline is truly a global experience, entertaining generations of families everywhere,” said David Erickson, CEO and Founder of FreeConferenceCall.com — which launched Santa Claus’ hotline in 2010.
“It’s great to spread some holiday cheer and help kids in this high-tech society find the quickest and fastest point of connection to Santa of the 21st Century,” Erickson added.
For those who would rather receive a call from Santa or his helpers this holiday season, don’t worry.
Simply input your phone number into ChristmasDialer.com and choose between a call from Santa or The Elf. You can even choose between several different messages for each option.
How to receive a video message from Santa
We live in a digital age — and sometimes a phone call doesn’t quite do the trick.
If your child needs video evidence that Santa is making a list and checking it twice, then you can create a personalized video message from the big man himself through the Portable North Pole website or app.
You’ll be asked to include the child’s first name, date of birth and a photo — which appears in Santa’s book next to their age. Santa will also add a custom message to the child from a list of options.
For example, he can tell your child that she’s “the best sister in the world.”
“Our focus is on creating those special moments through videos and recorded messages, which can be shared and replayed for lasting memories,” a spokesperson told TODAY.com.
How to send a letter to Santa
Sending a letter to Santa — or receiving one from him — is one of the best Christmas traditions ever.
The USPS has been hard at work with “Operation Santa” since 1912, when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to open letters addressed to Santa for employees to respond to.
Kids can send Santa a letter and their wishlist to 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 8888.
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Once sent, real-life Santas and volunteers from around the world will read it, respond to it — and may even send a gift from the wishlist, proving that Santa really is making dreams come true.
The mailroom opened in September and letters had to be postmarked by Dec. 6.
If it’s too late to send a letter to Santa through the USPS, you could always adopt the tradition yourself.
Simply have your child write a letter and put it in your mailbox — you can retrieve it before the postman grabs it and save it as a keepsake. Just don’t forget to write a letter back (in Santa’s handwriting).
Your child’s face will light up when they see they’ve received a personalized letter from Santa Claus.
How to track Santa Claus around the world
If your kids don’t believe Santa flies around the world, there’s a way to prove that, too.
Each year on Dec. 24, families can follow Santa’s worldwide journey through NORAD Tracks Santa, a beloved tradition run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
The interactive website lets kids watch as Santa takes off from the North Pole and zigzags across continents, delivering gifts to children everywhere.
Santa’s route is tracked using the same technology used to monitor real-world airspace — like satellite systems, high-powered radar and even jet fighters that help escort him safely through the night sky.
In other words, this isn’t just magic — it’s official.
The tradition dates back to 1955, when a child accidentally dialed the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center instead of the North Pole.
Rather than hang up, Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup — the commander on duty — assured the child that Santa was real and promised to keep him safe on his journey.
How to prove that Santa Claus actually exists
Are your kids still not sure if Santa is real?
There are plenty of ways to help them believe — and most don’t require anything more than a little planning and a lot of imagination.
One of the easiest ways to prove he’s hard at work is by showing your kids the Live 2025 Santa Cam on YouTube, which is basically a live stream of the North Pole and Santa’s workshop.
The video, which has been live since Nov. 24 and airs 24/7, switches from one security camera to the next to show that Santa is actually doing what he’s supposed to be doing.
Other fun ways to prove Santa exists include:
- Leaving out cookies, milk and carrots and showing clear evidence they were enjoyed overnight
- Using special “Santa-only” wrapping paper and handwriting for gifts from Santa
- Pointing out Santa’s “footprints” or reindeer dust near the fireplace or tree
- If you have an indoor security camera, show your kids a video of him dropping off the presents
In one TikTok video, a couple filled a wallet with Santa’s license and North Pole cash and left it sitting on the ground next to the Christmas tree — as if he accidentally dropped it during his visit.
Their daughter was baffled when she opened the wallet and saw whose wallet it actually was.
At the end of the day, proving Santa exists isn’t really about phone numbers, videos or sleigh trackers — it’s about keeping the magic alive for as long as you can.
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And even if your kids eventually figure it all out, the joy, wonder and excitement they felt believing in Santa will always be real — and that’s the magic that lasts long after Christmas morning.
