Press

The New York Times - "Santa goes high tech on the Internet." - Amy Lorentzen, Associated Press

At a breakfast with Santa this year, 3-year old Cassidy "didn't want anything to do with the fat man," her mom remembers. But when Santa called last Sunday, Cassidy froze in giddy shock, the phone locked to her ear. "I love you, Santa," she whispered.

It used to be that the holiday-season ritual of talking to Santa always meant a trip to the mall. But parents are turning increasingly to commercial services that provide phone calls from a Santa that knows not only what is on the child's wish list, but also the names of siblings, friends and teachers, favorite vacation spots and what was under the tree last year.

"It's so much better than the mall," Cindy's mom, said of the call. "It's more relaxed."

Julie Pron, who gave SantaSpeaking an enthusiastic review ay MommieswithStyle.com, said she had not been sure how her 2-year old son, Carson would respond to a call from Santa. But the results were pure magic. "He sounded so realistic." SantaSpeaking's Clauses often ask the child to hold while they scold Rudolph for coming into the house with wet hooves.

When she told her mother about the call, Ms. Pron recalled, "she said, 'Oh, my gosh, Carson's going to believe for the next 20 years.'"

"Click Here for Santa's Lap; Wired Children Visit St. Nick Via Their Home Computers; Instant Messaging the Elves." - Kortney Stringer, The Wall St. Journal

Seven-year-old Parker not only still believes in Santa Claus, he also talked to him on the phone. In a five-minute conversation, Santa called Parker for a quick chat, sharing some gossip and trivia about goings-on at the North Pole. Parker was delighted to learn that his own father had made Santa's "Naughty" list.

A growing number of Santa-themed websites, like SantaSpeaking.com, are trying to create a real Santa experience for a generation of kids who learned to click a mouse before they could read. In many cases, online Santas are more believable than the grandfatherly men in red suits and cottony beards at the local mall.

For many parents, the sites are a welcome reprieve from a dreaded Christmas duty of waiting in a long line at a crowded mall and then coaxing a tired child up onto a strange man's knee. Parker's mother arranged for surprise calls for Parker, a second grader, and his five-year old sister. She contacted SantaSpeaking.com, which has contracted with a call center to provide men with jolly voices. She filled out an online questionnaire that asked for her kids' interests, so the telephonic Santas would have some material to work with. Knowing that Parker took gymnastics lessons, his Santa Claus talked about trying to teach Rudolph to do an aerobatic front flip.

The Opnionated Parent - "It's Santa! It's really Santa!" - Rachelle

Waiting in line at the mall to see a creepy Santa with his beard half hanging off and garlic breath, and then paying $15 for a crappy picture of my kid with him isn't my idea of a great Christmas memory.

Don't get me wrong. I love Santa. I love the idea of Santa and the spirit and kindness and giving that surrounds it. I just don't love the mall in December. If you're in the same spot, you may never need to go there again. To see Santa anyway-the shopping's totally your call. We've found an awesome website that gives your children the kind of wonderful personal Santa experience you want for them without any of the hassle.

SantaSpeaking.com was founded by a mother who experienced the scary mall Santa enough times to get inspired to create an alternative. And what a great alternative it is.

Little did I know how much joy one call could bring!

We just completed an international move and my three year old has had to be a very good little girl. When we saw Santa Claus at the mall, she was at a loss for words and missed her chance to tell Santa what she truly wanted for Christmas.

My daughter was so overwhelmed with joy to receive a call from Santa. It took her a few minutes to warm up (so I was thankful we had the extended call), but once she was used to talking to him she opened up and shared with Santa what she wanted for Christmas! It was truly an amazing experience watching her trying to express herself to him. Talking to Santa was like talking to a celebrity for her.

After listening to the MP3 that SantaSpeaking.com sent us I had tears in my eyes hearing her talk with him so nervously. It was so endearing.

During all of the chaos in our lives, this was a moment to remember for all of us. It really helped us start off the season right and put my daughter's mind at ease that Santa knew she had moved and knew what she hoped to receive.

The call from SantaSpeaking.com was so simple to set up. They have thought of all the little details and make the calls personal and very true. When you're out there looking for last minute gifts, stop and consider this amazing experience for the little ones in your lives.

MommiesWithStyle.com - "Santa Called Carson Last Night! What a Thrill!" - Julie Pron

We had just finished dinner and were talking about getting ready for the bed, when the phone rang. I answered on speaker, Daddy grabbed the video camera, and we heard "HO HO HO."

It was SANTA!! Santa was WONDERFUL! He asked Carson lots of questions (he even asked how Nate and Sophia and Carson's teachers were doing--he knew their names!) Then, he talked to Carson about playing soccer and football, because he knows Carson likes sports. Carson told him that he has to play them outside, and Santa said, "HO HO HO, yes you do! And not when there is snow on the ground!"

Later, he asked Carson how his baby brother Wesley was and if he was awake or sleeping. They even talked about school, and Santa asked Carson to say his ABCs. Eventually, Santa asked what Carson wanted for Christmas. Carson said, "ummmm..." So Santa responded, "Lets see, how about a fishing pole?" "Yeah! A fishing pole!" responded Carson. "And what about some Woody and Buzz toys?" Santa asked. Carson's face lit up. Then, Carson said, "and I want green." (We had no clue what that meant, but he's been saying it a lot.) Santa didn't miss a beat, "HO HO HO, something green? Hmmmm... I'll mention it to the elves."

Before he hung up, he reminded Carson that Mommy and Daddy would really like for him to be polite at the table when we're eating, and he asked if Carson could do that. Following, he said, "So, Carson, I guess you'll be getting ready for bed now?" "No Santa," said Carson, "its not bedtime." (It was, but that's okay). "HO HO HO," said Santa, "Carson, when its time for bed, you're going to go to the potty right? Because I know a lot, and I know you are working really hard on learning to use the potty. And I think that's great. So you're going to go to the potty tonight, right?" Carson was so excited, "Oh yes! Santa!!"

Santaspeaking.com is AWESOME!! You schedule the call at a time that's good for your family (hurry, because its booking up quickly). After you pay, you complete a detailed questionnaire to personalize it for your child(ren). You can also give the call as a gift to a family. Along with your call, they'll send you either a CD copy or an MP-3 e-mail, so you can always replay this treasure in the future. SantaSpeaking also offer letters from Santa and arrival calls.

I'll be talking about this call for years. It was SO special for all of us. Before bed, Daddy read "The Night Before Christmas" to Carson, and Carson kept talking about the call, and the fishing pole he'll be getting.