Having lived through the last few Christmases isolated due to the global pandemic, we have come to rely more and more on technology. On the upside, it has brought some cool mobile Santa apps into our lives. First, we have the Google Santa tracker and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to track Santa. Then, here comes personal gifts from Old Saint Nick himself. Imagine giving Santa a call!
If you're looking for fun and exciting ways to keep the spirit of Christmas aside from downloading interactive games on your smartphone, how about trying out this idea? Other than seeing the priceless look on your child’s face, a Christmas app has other uses, including:
- A gentle reminder that SANTA IS REAL for any little person heading down the non-believer path (this would help the easter bunny and the tooth fairy, too!)
- Evidence that Father Christmas is watching all the little children around the world, which can encourage positive behaviour
- For children of separated families who don’t know where they will be at Christmas, a personal word can reassure them that Santa knows mum and dad are divorced and will be able to find them, wherever they are, on Christmas Eve.
If you're planning to include this in your family tradition, here is our list of Christmas Santa apps for iOS and Android for Mr. Claus to personalise his messages; no coding needed!
The Best Santa Apps of 2024
Package from Santa.com
To kickstart the countdown to December 24th, imagine how thrilled your kids will be to get individualised communication from Mr. Claus this Christmas. The Package From Santa app lets you take a custom note from Saint Nicky (watch him say your child’s name) and all the North Pole characters. Simply upload your child’s photos and details for a unique holiday dispatch that can be shared with family and friends.
- Available via: Android, Apple, Website
- Free: One free video
- Cost: Free for a limited time, $9.99 regular
- What we like most: 90-day money-back guarantee
Elfi Santa
Surprise the kids (or yourself) with a present from Father Christmas this year and up the holiday cheer. Elfi Santa’s hardworking team of elves will make a personalised video with a unique, customizable dispatch based on the details you provide. For instance, you can request them to dance or do a hilarious pose. Allow your children to know that Mr. Claus has received their letters, or reassure them that presents are on the way. Customised messages of encouragement from Saint Nicky don’t get more authentic than this.
- Available via: Website
- Free: No
- Cost: From $5
- What we like most: 180-day free returns
Portable North Pole
Encourage good behaviour this holiday season with free tailor-made communication from Saint Nicholas himself. The seasonal Portable North Pole (PNP) app allows you to create individualised VCs where Ms Claus's husband says your kid’s name, shows their picture and reveals if they’ve made it on his nice list. It’s a great way to bring the magic of the Jolly Old Man to your home without going to the mall.
- Available via: Apple, Android, Website
- Free version: Yes
- Cost: From $2.99
- What we like most: Get 4 free Santa high-quality cinematic videos, and PNP donates 5% of every purchase to participating hospitals.
Santa Letter Direct
Can’t decide which customised note from Saint Nicholas to give your children to lift the Christmas mood? Santa Letter Direct Santa App has got you covered. Choose from multiple message and activity options based on your child’s age and interests. There’s the baby’s first letter from Old Saint Nicky, a tailored activity or sticker book for young bookworms, or a custom phone call from Santa's village with your child’s photos. They can hang the memento on the Christmas tree as decoration or add it to their Christmas album.
- Available via: Website
- Free version: No
- Cost: From $1.98
The Mailroom Co.
The Mailroom Co's Santa app is a nice way to add a bit of holiday magic. It lets parents send personalized messages from Santa to their kids, making them feel noticed by the big guy himself. With options for letters or video messages, it's a simple tool that can make the holiday season feel a bit more special for families.
- Available via: Website
- Cost: From $54.99
- Free version: No
- What we like most: Family Letter option to include more than one child in a letter, Beautiful designs, Vintage map of the North Pole included
Message from Santa
Kids behaving badly? If they’re on the naughty list and you’ve tried the usual threats, a call from the big man of the reindeer and the elves might just do the trick. Message From Santa offers simulated VCs and videos straight from the Christmas village featuring your little one’s name and photo. Saint Nicholas can call your child to say they’re doing a good job at school or they’re behaving badly (brilliant way to encourage good behaviour!). Your child can also leave a voice mail for Mrs. Claus's husband with their wish list and location tracker.
- Available via: Apple, Android
- Free version: Yes, with ads
- Cost: From $1.99
- What we like most: Santa calls your kids to tell them how good/badly they’re behaving, track Santa’s location, text Santa
Speak To Santa
Speak to Santa simulates a voice call from Santa Claus with individualised conversation options. The templated calls are simulated and pre-recorded. But you can make them as unique and realistic as possible by entering your child’s name, age, favourite colour, sport, recent life events, and other details. Mr Claus will even tell your child if they’ve been naughty or nice. It’s the perfect holiday app for families with younger kids.
- Available via: Apple, Android
- Free version: Yes, with ads
- Cost: From $1.99
- What we like most: Realistic calls, high-quality voices, thousands of call options
Final words on the best Santa apps for iPhone and Android
Beyond the sheer delight of witnessing the joy on your child's face upon receiving video messages individually created by Old Saint Nicholas, these Santa apps have many other purposes.
They reaffirm the belief in Santa Claus for the young sceptics, encourage positive behaviour through the idea of Saint Nicholas's watchful eye, and provide solace for children in separated families, assuring them that Old Saint Nicky will find them no matter where they are.
From Package From Santa's customisable North Pole communication to the realistic calls of Speak To Santa, these Santa apps for kids have become indispensable in making the holiday season genuinely festive.
In a world where we are more connected yet physically distanced, these apps bridge the gap and keep the magic of the Christmas season alive in our hearts. Along with Santa tracker apps for kids to use, as the 2024 calendar comes to a close, let's deliver the best gift for our children with special dispatches, especially for them.
