Primed for Christmas: When will Santa arrive? Just check the Internet

By MELISSA STOVER / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Hickory Creek Elementary classmates, from left, Haley Johnson, Allie Golden and Aaliyah Holmes take a bow at the close of their assembly program called “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “Remember to Say Thank You.” (Margaret Hobbs photo)

Children all over the world have been awaiting this day since Dec. 26 of last year, and now it’s finally here – Christmas Eve.

Letters to Santa have been mailed and trip’s to the mall to sit on Santa’s lap have been made. Today is the day, the grand finale.

Tonight the jolly ol’ man himself will make the trip around the globe, spreading Christmas cheer in record time, as he has done for so many years past.

Mounds of toys and goodies are already piled underneath the living room Christmas tree in some homes just waiting for Santa Claus to drop by and make his contributions.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care and the milk and cookies are ready for his consumption along with carrots for our favorite reindeer. But wait, how do we know when Santa might arrive?

In years past, many of us have relied on the old “he doesn’t come until you’re asleep” ploy, but along with the computer age has come Santa tracking. That’s right, now anyone with a computer can keep up with Santa’s progress on Christmas Eve. Now kids don’t have to go to bed before it’s bedtime.

Many Web sites can be found by searching “Santa Claus Christmas Eve Tracking Reports.” One of them is www.noradsanta.org.

Now no one has to wonder about Santa’s progress because with the click of the mouse you can find out. Some of these Santa Web sites offer e-mail to Santa or just a peek at the place Santa and Mrs. Claus call home.

The Web sites also offer games and such to keep the little ones busy while they are waiting for the big guy. As parents, we know how hard it is for our young ones to be patient. After all, they have been waiting 364 days.