How to Make It Look Like Santa Visited On Christmas Eve

Kids always hear that Santa isn't real. Follow these easy steps to make it look like Santa visited your house on Christmas Eve and instill your kids' belief in Santa for the following year.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plate
• Cookies
• Glass of milk
• A little dirt
• A piece of plain paper and a pen

1. Make sure the kids put out a plate of cookies and milk on Christmas Eve before they go to bed.

2. After the kids are asleep, quietly find your way to the Christmas tree. Eat or otherwise dispose of the cookies, leaving many crumbs on the plate and table. Drink the milk or dump it down the kitchen drain.

3. Put a bit of dirt by the front door or the base of the fireplace to make it look like Santa tracked in some dirt when he landed on the roof.

4. Leave a note from Santa to your child(ren). Thank them for the cookies and milk, say that Santa hopes the gifts he left are exactly what they were wishing for, etc. If your kids are old enough to recognize your handwriting, disguise it or type the note and only sign Santa's name.

5. When the kids run to the tree to see what Santa left for them, be observant and comment on some of the items you prepared.
   "Gosh kids, look at all those crumbs! Santa sure was messy when he ate the cookies last night."
   "Wow, Santa really must have liked that milk you left for him, it is all gone!"
   "Annie, did Santa leave a note for you?"
   "I better get out the broom, Santa got the tile by the front door all dirty when he came in last night"

Tips & Warnings

• Hide the gifts from Santa carefully so the kids won't find them before the big day.
• Santa is part of the magic of Christmas ... try to help your kids believe as long as possible.
• Remind children that while Santa and getting gifts are a big part of Christmas, the real spirit of Christmas is giving to others :)
• Be extra quiet with putting gifts out from Santa - you don't want the kids to wake up!
• Double check your work after you are done putting out Santa's gifts for tell-tale signs that mom and dad were playing Santa (beer can next to the cookies and milk that dad forgot to throw away, etc.)

[vallain]

on 2/4/2009 How fun to leave evidence of Santa's visit for the children to find Christmas day.

[bossypants]

on 12/8/2008 Very sweet. Preserve the magic! Love the photo, too! Thanks!

[ShannaFuentes]

on 12/8/2008 Great article! I will have to start doing this probably next year. Thanks for the tips!

[Kylara]

on 11/27/2008 Great article. And a few shakes of a jingle bell out side their window is good also.

[dasbootjoe]

on 11/25/2008 Nice article! 5*