Christmas Day Alert: Santa Is In The Air, And Our Holiday Rituals Are Changing Fast
Santa’s flight is live, the cookies are plated, and a cultural shift is happening right under the tree. I have confirmed that NORAD’s 70th annual Santa tracker is up and running right now, with real time updates as the sleigh moves across the globe. Families are gathering around phones and TVs, cheering each new check-in. This is the old magic, still beating. But this year also reveals something new, and it is reshaping how we play, perform, and celebrate.
The Flight Is Live, And Families Are Making A Hobby Of It
NORAD’s volunteer-staffed experience has become a living room sport. Kids call the hotline. Grandparents refresh the map. Neighbors trade sightings like baseball cards. It is playful. It is simple. It pulls everyone into the same room.
If you want to make it more than a glance at a screen, build a tiny mission control. Spread a world map on the table. Stick red pins on cities Santa has passed. Assign roles, like navigator, snack chief, and chief meteorologist. Keep a notebook of times and places. You will create a record your crew can read next year.
Turn tracking into a game. Predict the next stop, then award a candy cane to the closest guess.
Reindeer Cleared, Cookies Approved
State agriculture officials in Connecticut cleared Santa’s nine reindeer for flight on Christmas Eve. Health checks were clean, and flying weather looked friendly. That green light matters. Kids sleep better when the team is fit and the skies are kind.
Make a small ritual of it at home. Offer carrots and apple slices on the porch. Label each plate for Dasher through Rudolph. Then mix a cup of local milk with a dash of nutmeg for Santa. Simple acts like this slow the night down and bring everyone into the story.
Hobby Tip: Build A Stable In An Hour
A cardboard box becomes a reindeer stable with scissors, tape, and markers. Cut a big door. Draw stall signs. Drop in a handful of oats. It is low effort, big joy.
The New Santa Economy, From Beards To Bookings
The mall chair is not the power seat it once was. I am seeing fewer paid slots for in-mall Santas this season. Companies are hiring fewer performers, and they are raising the bar on appearance. Real beards mean better rates. Authentic suits and gentle crowd skills matter more than ever.
If you have thought about stepping into the red suit, this is your moment to treat it like a craft. Start with basics, then build a kit that suits your style.
- A well-fitted suit with quality fur trim
- Real beard care, or a pro lace front if needed
- White gloves, belt with weight, and soft-soled boots
- A short set list of stories and jokes
The best Santas listen first. Ask a child’s name, school, and favorite game before you talk gifts.
Digital Sleighs, Viral Cheer, And Adults-Only Twists
Santa has gone multiplatform. One standout performer on TikTok has gathered millions of followers by posting calm, kind videos. He sings, reads notes from kids, and answers the timeless questions. It is a global living room, and it works because it feels sincere.
In New York, the season’s wild card is an adults-only cabaret called Santa’s Secret. Think burlesque sparkle, drag royalty, big vocals, and a wink at North Pole lore. It is sold out for a reason. People want fresh takes, even on the most classic character in the world.
Virtual visits are also on the rise. Grandparents book video calls for cousins across three time zones. Office teams host five minute Santa drop-ins between meetings. The point is not to replace the mall bench. It is to meet people where they are, then keep the wonder intact.
Choose age-appropriate experiences. Keep the family magic for kids, and save the cheeky shows for date night.
Make Today Count, At Home And With Heart
Do not let the day rush past. Small, hands-on hobbies turn this morning into a memory.
- Bake one tray of cookies together. Pick a shape, then frost as a team.
- Write a short thank you note to Santa and the elves. Seal it with a sticker.
- Step outside at dusk for five quiet breaths. Name one joy from the year.
- End with a story. It can be two pages. Read it slowly.
I will keep following Santa’s route until the sleigh reaches its last stop. The headline today is simple. The tradition holds, and the form evolves. We are keeping the feeling, and trading a little of the line for a little more life. That is the hobby at the core of this holiday, the art of making meaning together. Merry Christmas, and may your night be bright.
