How will Santa find us if we travel over Christmas?

[geez0pete]

We plan on visiting family out-of-state over the holidays, and with six of us taking up space in the van, I won't be bringing the kids' gifts with us. I'm not really sure what to tell them about Santa. Should we celebrate early and say we asked Santa to come before we left or should we wait until we get back home and see gifts waiting for them? Also, how do we handle the cousins having gifts under their tree but not ours (well, they may have a couple small things just because)? I know we're not the only family that's had this come up so I'm hoping for some good suggestions! TIA!

[meghann8]

For us, Santa just came to the hotel. If that's not an option though, I think I'd lean towards asking him to come a little early this year.

[eguisgirl]

GL with that! We actually don't teach our kids about Santa, so it hasn't been an issue.. Hope you find a good solution!

[SubliminalDarkness]

I would think it would be hard for them to see Christmas Day come and go and not have gotten their presents.
I'd opt for sending Santa a letter asking to send an elf with a special delivery a little early that year.

[Namaste]

I would wait until I got home. Here's the reason: something to look forward to on the way home. Just make sure you bring some gifts that will keep them entertained.

[geez0pete]

Originally Posted by SubliminalDarkness I would think it would be hard for them to see Christmas Day come and go and not have gotten their presents. I'd opt for sending Santa a letter asking to send an elf with a special delivery a little early that year.

I like the elf idea! If Santa came early I know I would have to answer tons of questions about how he could get away...but he definitely could spare an elf. Any other suggestions?

[geez0pete]

Originally Posted by Namaste I would wait until I got home. Here's the reason: something to look forward to on the way home. Just make sure you bring some gifts that will keep them entertained.

That does make sense but my kids are 6 1/2, 4 1/2, and 2 1/2 yo twins. Now that I think more about it, they would probably bug us all.the.way.home if they knew gifts were waiting for them.

[HIOStarz4]

We go to see my DH's family every other year. Our tradition is Santa Visits our house while we are gone. Since we have presents to open from family it is no big deal. We do bring one or two REALY wanted small presents with a note that Santa leaves reassuring our DD that he visited our house and she will be VERY happy when she gets home.
So, how I do this is before we leave I have DH take the kids out, or if she is still in school I set up everything b4 we leave just like I would Christmas eve night, the stalkings all filled the presesnts under the tree and Santa's gift hiding with the tresure map ready to read!
HTH =)

[CarrieMF]

We do the same thing my parents used to do(until we ALL stopped believing) was make sure Santa presents were smaller items so we could take them. Presents from siblings & parents stay at home & we either open them before(then they have something new to play with on the way) or when we get home.

As kids got older & they could process the thought behind it, Santa would leave a note that the presents were at home. There was ALWAYS at least 1 thing from Santa under the tree wherever we were though.

You could also send things ahead IF you're taking gifts for other people & will have room on the way home.

[SubliminalDarkness]

Originally Posted by smbaliff I like the elf idea! If Santa came early I know I would have to answer tons of questions about how he could get away...but he definitely could spare an elf. Any other suggestions?

Ummm... Maybe you can schedule a delivery date? And I guess you'll need a story. Maybe elves come in North Pole helicopters? And I'm guessing they like mini versions of the same snacks Santa enjoys, being that they're so small.