Where's Old Saint Nick? You Can Find Out with a Super Fun Santa Tracker
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Christmas Eve is the most magical night of the year if you're a kid. Sleep evades you and every bump in the night is the sound of possibility. It takes all of your *limited* self-restraint not to run downstairs to check if someone nibbled on the Christmas cookies and see if gifts sit below the glittering Christmas tree. When Ree Drummond's kids were little, she had to set a time when they were allowed to come downstairs on Christmas morning, or they'd be up in the wee hours! "I always loved hearing them as they woke up and waited," says Ree. "You could feel the impatience and anticipation in the air."
Things are a bit different nowadays, though, because there's a super neat tool you can use to keep everyone's restless energy at bay: a Santa tracker! After wrapping presents and hiding the Christmas pickle, you probably have to start fielding the same question every ten minutes: "Where is Santa?" Well, now you can give an honest answer! There are fun websites and phone apps that can keep you updated on Old Saint Nick's journey across the world all night long. Plus, many have fun Christmas games and activities in addition to their real-time updates! Here's how to track Santa on Christmas Eve in 2022.
How to Track Santa with NORAD
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) has the critical mission of conducting aerospace and maritime control around North America. They normally track flying objects for defense purposes, but on December 24. they have a special mission: tracking Santa's arrival.
Their special mission began in 1955 when a child called a misprinted number advertising a direct line to Santa, according to the NORAD website. The number just so happened to lead the child to the commander of the organization that would eventually become NORAD. The commander quickly realized the mistake and assured the child that he was indeed Santa. After more calls started coming in, an officer took charge of answering them, and the tradition was born.
For more than 60 years, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa's location to millions of children on December 24. Today, they have an online Santa tracker which boasts the only 3D representation of Santa's journey. The site receives several million visitors from more than 200 countries, and hotline volunteers answer more than 130,000 calls each year.
Here's how to access the NORAD Santa tracker:
How to Track Santa with Google
Oh, the go-to phrase: "Just Google it!" Google is the key to any inquiry, including 'where is Santa.' The Google tracker website has so many activities to enjoy all year long, in addition to their December 24 live tracker. Enter Santa's Village to play games like Elf Ski, watch Santa videos, build your own elf, and more!
Here's how to access the Google Santa tracker:
Google Assistant voice command
Extra Santa Tracking Apps
Want more ways to track Kris Kringle? Check out these Santa tracking Apps:
Santa Tracker app by First Class Media B.V., available on the App Store and Google Play
Santa Tracker app by Dualverse, Inc., available on the App Store and Google Play
Speak to Santa Christmas Call by North Pole Command Center Limited, available on the App Store
NORAD Tracks Santa Claus by NORAD, available on the App Store
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