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Each Santa amazes children around the world with his magical ability to give exactly what they want without ever being caught red-handed.
One of the fun things you can do with your kids on Christmas Eve is keep track of where in the world the sleigh is, and how it accomplishes this incredible feat while they wait for their own presents to be quietly placed under the Christmas tree. .
Here are the best websites to check out Santa’s progress this year. Some are also available as apps for Android and iPhone.
1. Google Santa tracker
Google is using some of its vast knowledge to spread a little happiness at Christmas. Go to the Google Santa Tracker website. There are a selection of different activities available that are suitable for all ages to play in the run up to Christmas Eve.
When it’s the big day, you’ll see Santa’s location, a live blog of his journey, how far he is from you and the number of gifts he’s delivered.
According to the tracker, Santa’s journey takes 25 hours. He makes his first end just after 10pm local time in Russia’s far east, when it is 5am in New York and 11am in Paris.
The website works on PCs, phones and tablets and you don’t need to install an app.
2. Track Santa with NORAD
For those of a certain age, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) will conjure up images of fresh-faced Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy bringing the world to the brink of World War III so they can play the latest video game.
In the classic 1983 War Games, the final scenes of a potential global disaster take place in the mountain stronghold NORAD, where generals monitor all nuclear missile attacks from aggressive countries (well, back then it was the Soviet Union).
NORAD has deployed its considerable monitoring capabilities to geolocate St. Nick, which should reach incredible, rocket-like speeds as it travels through the air. That, or it sees him as a threat to national security.
Nowadays you can also install Norad’s tracker on Android and iPhone.
Go to the NORAD website.
Basically, the NORAD Tracks Santa site is a glorious celebration of Santa Claus and just a fun place for kids (and adults) to while away some time. While the main function – on Christmas Eve – is to have the Santa Express make its way through the sky, on the homepage you can click on the various buildings in the village to hear songs and learn more about Santa – and NORAD.
NORAD’s tradition of tracking Santa’s flight began in 1955 when a misprint in an advertisement led to children accidentally calling NORAD (or more accurately its predecessor CONAD) to ask where Santa was. Colonel Harry Shoup graciously had his staff check where the sleigh was currently located, and another Christmas legend was born.
3. Santa update
If you prefer a more journalistic approach to the sleigh preparations and social conditions in Santa’s toy workshop, Santa Update is the place for you. This site covers the news that is somehow missed by the wider media outlets, including radio interviews with knowledgeable elves who speculate about a strange, large, unnamed building in which Mister Christzmas keeps something mysterious.
Sinterklaas update
Santa Update has also broken several stories about sled flight tests in Malaysia, speed trials through Russian airspace and random sightings over Japan, where St Nick is believed to be conducting reconnaissance missions. Any disgruntled elves who want to signal any possible Santa scandals can also send their reports directly to the site for publication.
Part of Santa Update is the Elf Headquarters, which handles online messages to Santa Claus and the elves.
There are email addresses on the site for you to contact the main man himself, hopefully giving you an idea of what he plans to come down your chimney with!