From cleaning the chimney to making sure you’ve updated your address, experts reveal how to make sure your home is ready for Santa’s imminent arrival
As we approach the most wonderful time of the year, many homeowners have begun to think about the logistics around Christmas Eve, and just how their yearly visit from Santa will go – especially if they have recently moved home, or worse, don’t have a chimney for the jolly fellow to make his entrance.
Whether you’re a believer or not, there’s no denying the intrigue that surrounds Santa as more than 24 million people globally have taken to Google in the last month to find information on the elusive present-bringer. Curiosity around just how the big guy will get access to homes across the world is also at an all time high, with Google searches for ‘how does Santa get in’ up by 10% globally compared to this time last year.
To quash any worries about how Santa will make his annual visit to homes across the world, property expert Ryan Fitzgerald, owner of RaleighRealtyHomes.com shares his top tips on how to prepare your home for his arrival, and how Santa will access your property if you don’t have a chimney.
Preparing for Santa
Preparing the chimney for Santa’s annual arrival can be a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit. Here are some steps you can take to make sure Santa’s visit goes smoothly:
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Clean the chimney
A clean chimney will allow Santa to slide down more easily. To make Santa’s entrance as accessible as possible, ensure that your chimney is free from obstructions like soot, debris, or bird nests. This can be a dangerous job so you might consider hiring a professional chimney sweep to help.
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Clear a path
You also need to make sure that the area around the fireplace is clear of any obstacles so Santa can get in and out without too much hassle. Remember: Santa doesn’t want to trip over toys or decorations when he’s making his rounds!
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Decorate your home
Make sure your home is as festive as possible so Santa knows that you’re expecting him. Hang some festive decorations on or near the fireplace to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for Santa. Consider using garlands, stockings, and candles for a cozy holiday look.
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Hang a stocking
Don’t forget to hang a stocking for Santa just as you would for family members. You can fill it with small gifts for him and his reindeer, or even a thank-you note for him and the elves.
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Santa snacks
Most importantly, make sure you leave out some snacks for Santa and the reindeer to help fuel them for the rest of their trip around the world. It’s a tradition to leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa, while the reindeer love carrots, apparently. They work hard too and need some refreshments during their journey.
Ryan says: “Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the holiday season. Santa will appreciate any effort you make to prepare for his arrival, but he’ll be grateful for the kindness and joy you bring to the holiday season too.”
Alternate Access
If your home doesn’t have a chimney, don’t worry – Santa Claus has plenty of other ways to make his entrance. Ryan shares some alternative ways for Santa to enter your home:
Master key
Santa has a master key for all the doors in the world, but for them to work, homeowners are encouraged to sprinkle a little magic dust (glitter will work) outside the door they want him to use on Christmas Eve. This way Santa will know his key will work when he tries, and no alarms have been set!
Magic portal
If you’d rather Santa didn’t come in through the door, then you will need to install a magic portal for him to use. You can use holiday decorations like wreaths, ribbons, or tinsel to create the portal, and a touch of magic dust will help to activate Santa’s access to your home.
Recently Moved?
Santa Claus is known for his magical abilities and his extensive knowledge of who’s been naughty and nice, so it’s safe to assume that he would know if you’ve moved to a new house recently. But to put any worries to bed, experienced realtor Ryan shares industry secrets on the matter.
“Santa is all-knowing! His industry-leading naughty-or-nice lists are kept incredibly accurate thanks to clever Elvish technology, plus he has a team of helpers working around the clock to keep addresses updated.
“Anyone who’s recently moved home, or whose address has changed since they sent their letters to Santa can rest assured that he will absolutely be able to find you in your new home, just as he did in your previous one.
“Santa’s main goal is to bring joy and happiness during the holiday season, and he goes to great lengths to make sure every child is included in the festivities, no matter where they live.”
