Ringing Santaline is exciting, but it only goes one way. Your child leaves their message on 0800 222 222, hangs up and waits. The best follow-up there is: a few days later the phone rings, and it is Santa, calling them by name.
Why a call back works so well
Children who have left Santa a message spend the next few days wondering whether he got it. When the phone rings and Santa says their name, the story completes itself in their head: he got my message, and he rang me. You do not need to say a word. They will join the dots, and they will tell everyone at school.
How to set it up
- Let your child ring Santaline first, once it opens around the start of December. Listen in on speakerphone so you know what they asked for.
- Book a call from Santa. Type your child's first name, choose their age group and one thing Santa should praise them for. If the spelling does not match how the name is said, write it the way it sounds.
- Pick a time two to four days later, at an hour when your child is home and settled. Calls can be booked between 8am and 8pm.
- Tick the box to have the call recorded. Their answer to "what would you like for Christmas?" is the bit you will want to keep.
- When the phone rings, look at the screen, look surprised and say "I think it's for you".
What Santa says
Santa says your child's name, tells them what he has heard about them this year (the thing you chose), and asks what they would like for Christmas. Then he listens. After their answer, he finishes with a few words about being good, going to bed on Christmas Eve, and the reindeer. The call takes about a minute and a half.
Can't wait until Santaline opens?
You don't have to. Santa Call NZ is open now. Some families do it the other way round: Santa rings in November and tells them to get their list ready, and then they ring Santaline in December to leave it.
More than one child
Each call says one name, so book one for each child. Space them a few minutes apart so everyone gets their own turn to answer.
Santaline is run by Spark. Santa Call NZ is a separate New Zealand business and is not connected with Spark or Santaline.
Common questions
Can Santa ring my child after they call Santaline?
Santaline does not ring back, but you can book a separate call from Santa for a day or two later, so it feels like Santa got the message.
How long is a call from Santa?
About a minute and a half, including time for your child to tell Santa what they would like.
Can I keep a recording of the call?
Yes. Tick the recording box when you book and you will get the whole call, your child's answer included, by email afterwards.