Tips for Having a Smooth Home Visit with Santa

The holiday season is a time for laughter, magic, and hope and potential of feeling overwhelmed.
We get it, we've been there ourselves.

Communication and preparations is key to getting the most out of Santa's home visits.

To ensure a magical and personalized experience during Santa's home visits, effective communication and preparations are key. When you book a visit, we will ask you a series of questions designed to customize the experience to your family's needs. This is also your opportunity to raise any queries you may have about the visit. Since Santa will be entering your home, we kindly request your assistance in creating an inviting space for him to engage with the children. It’s important for us to know if any children have special needs or neuro-divergent conditions, such as autism or ADHD, as well as any cultural traditions that should be respected, like the removal of shoes or Christmas traditions your family observes. Additionally, please inform us of any sensitive subjects that Santa should steer clear of, such as the loss of a pet or loved one, to ensure a joyous visit for everyone involved.

Creating a festive atmosphere can also enhance the experience,...

Don't let Santa trip! Accidents can put a damper on the festivities and can end a visit early. We ask that you ensure a safe path for Santa to walk to the door. In rare cases that it snows before Christmas, please make sure to shove ice and snow for Santa.

Please pick someone that will be the point of contact. In the morning, you will receive a call from us to confirm that the event is still scheduled as planned. During this call, we will verify that we have all the necessary information, We will discuss parking arrangements. If you reside in an area with secured entrance, we will confirm the security code with you or that our name is added as a guest for that day. Our goal is to ensure everything runs smoothly and everyone is prepared for a delightful experience.

Look at that ice and snow! Our Santa is a pro at driving in snow. His hometown does have long winters but East TN isn't use to it. If the road conditions are dangerous, then we will try to reschedule if possible, otherwise we will have to cancel. If this happens, you will owe nothing.

The furry family member! Santa Claus has a special fondness for pets of all kinds, and eager to pose for photos with them, however, for pets that might become overly excited or anxious in the presence of a stranger in a fur-trimmed suit, it's wise to consider their comfort. To ensure a stress-free environment, these pets may prefer to stay in a quieter, closed room, Ultimately, Santa just wants everyone—both furry friends and human companions—to enjoy the festive season in peace and joy.

Cleanliness is appreciated! Before Santa's arrival, please make sure hands and faces are wiped off. Sticky hands leave the suit and fur sticky. The suits must be dry cleaned and often Santa has other households to visit during the holidays. This will be greatly appreciated.

Creating a festive atmosphere can also enhance the experience, with the use of decorations, music, and treats that align with the holiday spirit. Nothing says Christmas like a decorated tree. Holiday tunes can get any crowd in the mood.

Santa needs a place to sit! To ensure a delightful experience for all during the holiday festivities, it is essential to provide Santa with a proper throne. Whether you choose an armless chair, a wingback chair, or a sturdy bench, the most important factor is stability. Kids often climb onto Santa's lap with enthusiasm, and a toppling Santa would certainly create chaos! If you don't have a chair that meets these requirements, please inform us ahead of the event. We understand that not everyone may have an ideal seat for Santa, and we may be able to help by procuring one for the event. It's crucial to make arrangements so the chair can be in place before Santa's grand arrival. Let's make sure Santa is comfortably seated and ready to spread joy and cheer!

Well it's that time- As Santa prepares to bid farewell to the children and the adults, it’s the perfect moment to make any final payments or express your gratitude. This can be done seamlessly done by presenting the remainder of your payment in a Christmas card as you accompany Santa to the door, ensuring it's discreet and away from watchful eyes.

Thank You! While a gratuity is not obligatory, Santa graciously accepts any tips given with appreciation.

Time to say goodbye. Santa will encouraging the children to sing a festive farewell song adds a joyful touch to this special moment.

So, how did we do? After your visit, we encourage you to share your experience by leaving a review on our Facebook page or our website. Your feedback is invaluable to us and helps others in making improvements or allows others to feel confident in choosing us.

If you have taken pictures during your visit and would like to share them, please feel free to email them to tnmountainsanta@gmail.com. We would be delighted to showcase any photos, especially those featuring Santa himself! Just let us know in your email which pictures you are comfortable with us using, and we will ensure they are shared appropriately with no identifying names. You can also post pictures on Facebook if you wish.

Santa will text you to let you know that he is close to your home. This would be a good time to make sure the parking space is still accessible.

Shh! If Santa's visit is to be a delightful surprise for the child, this would be a good time to make sure the curtains are closed. This simple action can prevent any glimpses of Santa’s arrival

Smile! Santa's arrival is the best time to grab some group photos. Once Santa sits down, let the kids sit in front of him to wait their turn.

My kid is too shy! We believe that kids shouldn't be forced to sit on Santa's lap. We will offer the child to stand beside Santa, sit on a chair next to him, sit on a parent's lap next to him. It's ok if the child simply doesn't want to participate- the goal is to leave a good impression for next time they meet a Santa.

Refreshments! Although Milk and cookies are traditional offerings to Santa and he will take the obligatory nibble, a bottle of water would be greatly appreciated to keep him hydrated. It's worth noting that Santa leads a healthy lifestyle; he doesn't drink alcohol or smoke, turning down any such offerings. After all, he must remain alert and focused to navigate his sleigh through the starry skies.

Naughty or Nice! Attending an exciting event can be overwhelming for children, and it's not uncommon for one of them to experience moments of acting out or a meltdowns. These situations can be challenging not only for the child but also for those around them. To ensure that everyone enjoys the event, it’s essential for parents and guardians to remain present and engaged. By keeping a close eye on their child, they can provide the necessary support and reassurance to help them navigate their feelings.
Remember, a calm and supportive presence can make all the difference in creating a joyful experience for everyone involved

Help keep Santa on time! Often Santa may have another home to visit after yours. Santa will start to wrap up the visit when time is up. He will finish any up any story or seeing children before leaving

Staging the event.

Arrival

Day of the Visit

During the Event

After the Home Visit

Departure

Santa will text you to let you know that he is close to your home. This would be a good time to make sure the parking space is still accessible.

Shh! If Santa's visit is to be a delightful surprise for the child, this would be a good time to make sure the curtains are closed. This simple action can prevent any glimpses of Santa’s arrival

Thank you for letting us be a part of your festive celebration!

Presenting Gifts

Opening presents is the biggest thrill during Christmas! Having Santa handing out a wrapped gift to each child is a special activity that needs to be coordinated with our team.

Make sure Santa can find your gifts. We don't need your watchful eyes both inside and outside to see presents out in the open, at the same time, we don't want them hid so well Santa can't find them. We suggest to place them in a box or in a trash bag. Just make sure the kids aren't going to be able to see Santa scoop up the gifts.

Don't trust labels to stay on. Sometimes placing the gifts into his sack, a label will accidently come off, especially the peeling kind. Use a black marker to write the kids names, with large letters, directly on the wrapping paper.

Pronunciations - If the name is commonly mispronounced, Santa may need someone nearby as a helper who can pronounce the name for him.

Extra! If this event includes several families, having a few back-up gifts will allow last minute arrivals to feel included.

5-4-3-2-1! ... Let Santa know before handing out the gifts what the tradition is when opening up Christmas gift. Some families open them as soon as they are handed out, others do a countdown and everyone opens the gift at the same time and let the paper and ribbons fly!

Make sure your cell phones and camera are fully charged.

..Kids shouldn't be forced to sit on Santa's lap

All photos on this page was done by AI