Father Christmas
A phone call from Father Christmas.
Santa, Father Christmas: same beard, same sleigh, same big book. There are two ways to talk to him on the phone this Christmas, and both start free.
Ring Father Christmas yourself
He keeps a telephone by the workshop door, on an ordinary UK number: 01282 953426. Ring it and he answers, asks who's calling and how old they are, and hears what's top of the list. It's about two minutes, once per phone each Christmas, and after that Jingle the elf picks up. More about his number, and a poster for the classroom.
Or Father Christmas rings them, by name
Tell the elves your child's first name, their age and a line about their week, and Father Christmas rings your mobile, now or at a time you pick. He asks for them by name, tells them what the elves have seen (the reading, the swimming badge, being kind to a little brother), hears the wish list and answers their questions. The first call is free. Answer it yourself and hand the phone over, or let them pick up.
Nice list, or a quiet word
Most calls are nice-list calls, where he says exactly what they've done well. When they need a nudge, a quiet word is firm but kind, never scary, with no coal and no threats, and it ends with a promise written in the big book.
On Christmas Eve, from the sleigh
The one they'll remember: Father Christmas rings on the 24th, on his way, in a 15-minute window you choose. It's £9.99, with the recording. About the Christmas Eve call.
Questions
Is Father Christmas the same as Santa?+
Yes. Father Christmas is what most British families call him, and Santa Claus is the same man in the same red suit. On the phone he answers to both, and he won't mind which one your child uses.
Is a phone call from Father Christmas free?+
Two ways are free. Ring his own number, 01282 953426, for a two-minute hello, which costs whatever your plan charges for a UK landline call (usually nothing). Or book a free first call and he rings your child by name. After that, a call is £3.99.
Does he really know my child's name?+
When you book, yes. You tell the elves your child's first name, their age and what they've been up to, and Father Christmas uses it on the call. If your child rings his number themselves, he asks who's calling.
Is it a recording?+
No. It's a real two-way conversation. Father Christmas listens and answers, so your child can ask about the reindeer or the chimney. He's a voice we built, and he stays Father Christmas whatever they ask him.
Will he promise a present?+
Never. He writes wishes in the big book and says the elves will see what they can do, so Christmas morning stays a surprise.