In order to set up the call process with St. Nicholas TeleSanta, there are a few steps:

1. Parents go to our website then go to the “Schedule Santa Call” page.

2. Parents fill out the questionnaire completely and then hit send to Santa.

3. Santa Peter Poulos will receive the emailed questionnaire, review it and after determining the church and appropriate Santa will send it to him via email.

 

The church Santa will then schedule the call in a daily file the day and time segment. On the day of the call scheduled by him for the specific time segment, he will notify the parents via text message when he is totally ready to make the call and ask in the message if they can take the call in “X amount of minutes”. Once the parents have confirmed the call by text message and are ready for the call, the call is then made by the Santa utilizing all the information on the family’s questionnaire.

 

Every Santa should register and download Zoom to be able to utilize the site for calls. There is no charge for this. Zoom does have an upgrade to there basic Zoom program for a cost, BUT that is only if you are going to have conversations of more than 40 minutes. The Santa calls should only take between 5 to 10 minutes long, so the free Zoom will work for everyone.

Every Santa should call Santa Peter (713-598-7775) to test both the Zoom and FaceTime sites to be sure they work properly for them a few days before their first call. 

Note: To activate all calls, each Santa should have the person to be called in their cell phone contact directory. The information which should be in each contact is:

1. Parents’ first and last name

2. In the company section, put “STNS23” which stands for “Saint Nicholas TeleSanta 2023” (This can be used to easily look up in your phone everyone who participated in the program in 2023.)

3. Their cell phone number

The following confirmation message should be sent prior to the TeleSanta Christmas Call:

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Santa has scheduled a call to (child’s name) on (Day & Date) between 1-1:30 PM. Santa will send a text message a few minutes in advance to give you a heads up to get ready for his call. If this IS NOT a good day and time please let me know immediately with a response text.

Church Santas should keep in mind:

Given that the Christmas holidays are a festive time, and Santa Claus is the centerpiece, it can be assumed he is to be jolly and cheery just as he is in culture and tradition. Anything that distracts from the Santa Claus “Mission” is out of place. You are a gentle, non-judgmental, symbol of love, kindness, and caring.

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Compliment, Compliment, Compliment: 

Support, praise, show how pleased you are. Make a fuss over clothes, hair or hair decorations, their pretty or unusual name, jewelry, lists they give you. Make children proud and happy about their accomplishments: drawings, penmanship, in school or extracurricular activities, their general knowledge such as naming dinosaurs, spelling, counting, alphabet, or saying Merry Christmas in a foreign language. Follow up on kudos given by parents.

​

Tell children that you love them:

Kids probably don’t hear that enough. Tell them they are special, and how good it is to see them. Promise that you will take a peek to make sure they are tucked in. Boys like to hear things like “We are on the same team together.” Ask the little girls if they are angels or princesses.

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Give children something to do: 

Encourage them to talk. Have children introduce the adults, name their infant siblings, tell what their parents and their shy siblings want for Christmas. Ask how many stocking will be hung and for who. Have children show age with their fingers so you can count or miscount them. Hold up wrong number of fingers when they say their age. Play off their reaction. Get the kids talking by asking them “How do you really know that is your age?” It is always a hit with twins to ask who is the oldest.

​

Show an interest: 

Inquire about school, what grade they are in, favorite or best class and WHY. (Why is open ended-it will get them talking.) Don’t ask, but if they reveal poor grades, do not admonish but encourage. Ask about sports, school bus, homework, or favorite color. Take the time to read and comment on their lists. Pets are always a good topic (name, breed, size, friendly- “Will your dog eat my cookies? Does he have a stocking?”).

Send a follow up text with each parent after the call:
 

We know you enjoyed Santa’s personalized children’s visit and call with your family in the comfort and safety of your own home. We would like you to become an Ambassador for the StNicholas-Tele-Santa.com program for children by posting on your social websites some of these advantages:
 

The St. Nicholas TeleSanta call has:

• Eliminated having to leave your home with your child to see Santa

• Eliminated standing in a line for a long time to see Santa

• Eliminated your child having only one minute to speak to Santa with very little personal interaction and sharing

• The St. Nicholas TeleSanta call is interactive and every child participates

• Having all of Santa’s contact information and photo on your phone every year

• The ease of going to the St. Nicholas TeleSanta website and filling out your child’s or grandchild’s information on a simple form which guarantees the best personalized Santa Call possible. Keep in mind that Santa (being a famous, recognized and beloved brand for children) can also make a call to your child for his/her Nameday, birthday or any other occasion from our same website. Simply fill out the questionnaire appropriately.

Church Santas should keep in mind:

Given that the Christmas holidays are a festive time, and Santa Claus is the centerpiece, it can be assumed he is to be jolly and cheery just as he is in culture and tradition. Anything that distracts from the Santa Claus “Mission” is out of place. You are a gentle, non-judgmental, symbol of love, kindness, and caring.

​

Compliment, Compliment, Compliment: 

Support, praise, show how pleased you are. Make a fuss over clothes, hair or hair decorations, their pretty or unusual name, jewelry, lists they give you. Make children proud and happy about their accomplishments: drawings, penmanship, in school or extracurricular activities, their general knowledge such as naming dinosaurs, spelling, counting, alphabet, or saying Merry Christmas in a foreign language. Follow up on kudos given by parents.

​

Tell children that you love them:

Kids probably don’t hear that enough. Tell them they are special, and how good it is to see them. Promise that you will take a peek to make sure they are tucked in. Boys like to hear things like “We are on the same team together.” Ask the little girls if they are angels or princesses.

​

Give children something to do: 

Encourage them to talk. Have children introduce the adults, name their infant siblings, tell what their parents and their shy siblings want for Christmas. Ask how many stocking will be hung and for who. Have children show age with their fingers so you can count or miscount them. Hold up wrong number of fingers when they say their age. Play off their reaction. Get the kids talking by asking them “How do you really know that is your age?” It is always a hit with twins to ask who is the oldest.

​

Show an interest: 

Inquire about school, what grade they are in, favorite or best class and WHY. (Why is open ended-it will get them talking.) Don’t ask, but if they reveal poor grades, do not admonish but encourage. Ask about sports, school bus, homework, or favorite color. Take the time to read and comment on their lists. Pets are always a good topic (name, breed, size, friendly- “Will your dog eat my cookies? Does he have a stocking?”).