As Christmas gets closer, one question starts becoming increasingly important in homes everywhere:
Is my child on Santa's Nice List?
Father Christmas is famous for making his list and checking it twice, but children don't get to see the official North Pole records very often.
So how does the Nice List work, what does Santa actually look for and — most importantly — how can children find out whether their name has made it onto the list for Christmas?
What Is Santa's Nice List?
Santa's Nice List is the famous record of children who have shown kindness, helpfulness and good behaviour during the year.
It's one of the oldest and most familiar parts of the Father Christmas story.
But we don't think the Nice List should be about expecting children to be perfect.
Everyone has difficult days, makes mistakes and occasionally needs another chance — including, we suspect, a few elves.
Does My Child Have to Be Good All Year?
No child is perfectly behaved every day of the year.
Santa has been doing this for long enough to understand that.
Being on the Nice List is better thought of as recognising all the good things children do: kindness, trying their best, helping other people, learning from mistakes and making an effort.
One grumpy morning in February isn't likely to undo an entire year of lovely moments.
What Does Santa Look for?
If we were helping Father Christmas check his list, we'd be looking for things such as:
- Being kind to family and friends.
- Helping somebody without being asked.
- Sharing with other children.
- Saying sorry after making a mistake.
- Trying hard at something difficult.
- Looking after pets or younger siblings.
- Including somebody who might feel left out.
- Saying please and thank you.
- Doing little acts of kindness when nobody is watching.
They don't have to be enormous achievements. Small acts of kindness count too.
Can You Move From the Naughty List to the Nice List?
Absolutely.
In fact, we like to think Santa is much more interested in children learning from mistakes than expecting them never to make one.
If somebody has been unkind, they can apologise. If they've made a mess, they can help tidy it. If they've upset somebody, they can try to make things right.
There's always time for another good deed before Christmas.
Our existing guide to how to get on Santa's Nice List has lots more ideas children can try.
How Can I Find Out If My Child Is on Santa's Nice List?
This is where things become particularly exciting.
Most of the official list stays safely at the North Pole, but sometimes Santa lets children know the good news.
A personalised Nice List Certificate can turn the idea of being on Santa's list into something real that a child can see, hold and keep.
Rather than simply hearing a grown-up say, "I'm sure you're on it," there's suddenly evidence from the world of Father Christmas itself.
What Is a Nice List Certificate?
A Nice List Certificate is a special Christmas keepsake confirming that a child has made Santa's Nice List.
For younger children especially, seeing their own name connected to Father Christmas can create a wonderful reaction.
It can be given on its own, arrive with North Pole post or become part of a wider personalised Santa experience.
Combine It With a Letter From Santa
A Nice List surprise can feel even more believable when it connects with other Christmas moments.
For example, a child could receive a personalised letter from Santa and discover that Father Christmas already knows about something they've achieved during the year.
Then the Nice List isn't simply an abstract idea. It feels connected to their own story.
Use the Nice List Positively
Christmas should be exciting, not something children spend weeks worrying about.
Rather than using Santa's list as a constant threat — "Santa is watching!" — it can be much more fun to use it to notice positive things.
You might say:
"That was really kind. I bet the North Pole would be impressed with that."
It keeps the magic while putting the focus on kindness rather than fear of getting something wrong.
Do Santa's Elves Help With the Nice List?
We certainly imagine they do.
Santa has an enormous amount to organise, so the elves must surely help keep North Pole records up to date.
If your family has a Christmas elf, you could even connect the stories. An Elf Arrival Letter might mention that the North Pole has heard about some of the lovely things the child has done.
There's Still Time Before Christmas
It's only October.
There are still plenty of opportunities for kindness before Father Christmas sets off on Christmas Eve.
Help somebody. Share something. Make somebody smile. Say sorry when you need to. Do something thoughtful without expecting anything in return.
Not because you're trying to earn presents, but because those are exactly the sorts of little things that make Christmas — and the rest of the year — nicer for everybody.
Has Santa Checked the List Twice Yet?
We can't reveal everything that happens inside the North Pole records department.
But with Christmas getting closer, we'd imagine that list is receiving plenty of attention.
And if your child has spent the year trying their best, being kind and learning from the moments that didn't go quite right?
We think they have every reason to be hopeful when Santa checks their name.