The arrival of Santa, as he brings his sack full of presents at Christmas is an age old tradition and one that fills children with joy.
While Santa’s visit is often shrouded in mystery, imagine the joy on the kids’ faces when they are presented with proof that the jolly man in the red suit actually visited their house!
Catching Santa in the act (visiting your house) on a mobile phone (Apple or Android), is easier than you think and there are lots of different ways you can achieve this thanks to modern technology.
Use an App
Searching online there is a myriad of apps, which are able to ‘catch’ Santa in the act. Most are generally suitable for both Apple or Android, and are free to use, though some do have in-app purchases or a fee for a premium version. It may take a few tries to navigate the app and prefect your photo, so allow plenty of time for experimenting.
It pays to read the reviews and research the app yourself before deciding if it is suitable for your needs.
Catch Santa Claus in My House!
Developer: Capture the Magic
This app, Catch Santa Claus in My House!, allows users to take pic and capture Santa in their house. Unfortunately though, the ‘free’ basic pack is rather limited, so users will need to pay for additional, more realistic features.
Catch Santa in My House
Developer: Dualverse
Using this app, Catch Santa in My House! you can catch Santa, either inside or outside your house, when he visits this Christmas. You may even be able to capture the elves and his reindeer.
Use a Web-Based Photo Editor
Using any one of the available photo editors online, you can create a scene of Santa in your own home. Simply access a program (Canva and PicMonkey are popular ones), upload a photo of the scene (your home) and ‘find’ Santa.
Setting the Scene for Santa’s Visit
Often, it’s the anticipation which is the most exciting part of Santa’s visit, so why not enhance the excitement and get the kids (or the whole family) involved in setting the scene. It may even become a fabulous family tradition for years to come. Here are some suggestions:
- Layout milk and cookies for Santa and his reindeer
- Make a sign and post it on your front door saying ‘Santa please stop here’
- Leave out a magic key, so Santa can enter through the front door
- Make a special pathway from the front door to the Christmas tree
- Construct a Santa trap using boxes, bells and toys – will Santa be able to avoid it?
- Decorate a chair for Santa to sit on using streamers, tinsel, teddies etc
Tips for Capturing Santa in Your Home
- Consider your child’s personality and how they might react if they were actually shown a picture of Santa in their home – would they be excited, happy or terrified. If it is the later, perhaps capturing Santa outside, before he enters the house, might be an idea.
- Waiting for Santa and capturing him in your house can be a long process – make sure you are well rested and allow plenty of time (you don’t want to nod off right before he arrives!)
- Make sure you are prepared for questions if you capture Santa inside your house. The kids might ask – How did he get in? What time did he arrive?
