Preparing for a Santa Claus Visit on Christmas Eve

Waiting for Santa Claus to arrive can be tough for kids. The month of December seems to stretch on forever and ever, and sometimes it seems like Santa will never arrive.

But one way you can help the time pass more quickly for your kids is to start preparing for your Santa Claus visit early in December, and keep the kids active with new things to do to get ready for St. Nick. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare for that magical night.

While your kids count down the days until Santa's visit, here are some fun ways to pass the time.

1. Write a letter to Santa.
Writing a letter to Santa Claus is a great way for kids to practice their writing skills. It's also a perfect opportunity for parents to learn what their kids want for Christmas. You can get free printable Dear Santa letter stationery online or simply use a plain piece of paper. Then put on some holiday music and help your kids create their message for Santa. Be sure to save a copy so you can enjoy them in later years!

2. Make sure Santa writes back.
After sending your child's letter to St. Nick, make sure the jolly old elf writes back! You can create your own letters from Santa online in just a few minutes with sites like http://freesantaletters.net, or you can get an elaborate response from Santa, including an autographed photo, letter from Rudolph and many other surprises, from sites like Package from Santa.com.

3. Read about Santa Claus or watch movies about him.
Reading a new Christmas book or watching a Christmas movie each night is a great way to count down the days until Santa Claus arrives. Good books you might want to read aloud for younger kids are classics like Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Polar Express. Older kids might enjoy Dean Koontz's silly story of Santa's Evil Twin. And, of course, there are plenty of movies about Santa, from The Miracle on 34th Street to The Santa Clause.

4. Hang your stockings by the chimney with care.
Kids love hanging their stockings out, knowing that Santa will soon be filling them up. Make it a special occasion by brewing some hot chocolate and playing some Christmas carols. (And if you don't have a chimney, be sure you have a magic Santa key so Santa Claus won't get locked out!)

5. Track Santa on Christmas Eve.
The big night has finally arrived! Turn on the computer and head on over to NORAD Tracks Santa. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) uses their radar to track Santa's flight around the world on Christmas Eve, and they broadcast it on their website so kids will know where Santa has been and how soon he'll be arriving in your area.

After tracking Santa on NORAD, it will be time to hop into bed and get ready for a visit from Santa Claus!