Every question lives somewhere up here. Pick a place on the map to visit.
Each place opens its questions in a panel. Every answer is also in the field guide below the map.
Kept by the elves at the Post Office
The North Pole Field Guide
Every question we've been asked this year, stop by stop. Pull up a cocoa.
Stop 1
The cocoa is always warm, and the door is always open.
Santa has been bringing gifts to children for well over a thousand years, and he never tells anyone his exact age. Even Mrs. Claus says it's one of the North Pole's best-kept secrets.
Santa doesn't count birthdays. He counts Christmases, and he says every one feels like his first. When children ask, he chuckles and says he's exactly as old as he needs to be.
Santa lives at the North Pole with Mrs. Claus, the elves and the reindeer. It's snowy there all year round, which is just how they like it.
His cozy house sits near the toy workshop. The reindeer have a warm stable close by, and the Post Office takes in letters from all over the world. Send one of your own.
Santa comes on Christmas Eve, after the children in the house are asleep. By Christmas morning, the presents are waiting.
Going to bed on time really does help. Hang your stocking, leave out a snack and close your eyes. Count the sleeps until Christmas.
Santa doesn't need one. Christmas magic lets him in on Christmas Eve, whether you live in a house, an apartment or a cabin, and he always leaves everything just as he found it.
Some families hang a little "Santa key" on the front door. Santa thinks that's very thoughtful, though he'd find his way without it.
Stop 2
Mail from every country lands here, sacks and sacks of it.
Yes. The elves sort every letter that reaches the North Pole and carry it to Santa, and he reads them by the fire with a cup of cocoa.
He especially loves hearing about your year: your friends, your pets, the things you're proud of. Drawings get pinned up on the workshop wall.
Tell Santa a little about your year, what you're thankful for and what you're wishing for, then send your letter to the North Pole. You can write to Santa online, and he writes back.
Grown-ups can help little ones with the spelling. Write your letter to Santa and watch for his reply.
Yes! You can talk to Santa on a live voice call. Tell him about your year and your Christmas wishes, and he listens and answers as you talk.
Have a grown-up nearby to help you start. Talk to Santa and say hello from home.
Stop 3
Hammers tap, paint dries, and the elves hum while they work.
The elves make them in Santa's workshop, all year long. Every toy is built with care, tested for fun, then wrapped and labeled for the right child.
Some elves carve, some paint, and some sew teddy bear buttons on very tight. When a wish arrives that nobody has made before, they gather round the drawing board and work it out together. Got a wish for them? Make a Christmas wishlist.
Santa's elves, Mrs. Claus and the reindeer all help Santa get ready for Christmas.
The elves make and wrap the toys, sort the mail and keep the Nice List tidy. Mrs. Claus keeps the whole North Pole running, and her baking keeps everyone cheerful.
Stop 4
Nine stalls, plenty of hay, and one very shiny nose.
Santa's reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, with Rudolph and his shiny red nose leading the way.
On foggy, snowy nights, Rudolph's glowing nose helps the team find the way.
Santa's reindeer fly with Christmas magic. On Christmas Eve the magic lifts their hooves right off the snow, and they practice all year so they're strong and steady for the big night.
The elves say the magic grows a little stronger with every kind thing people do at Christmas. The reindeer warm up with laps around the North Pole, and Rudolph always leads when it's foggy.
Santa uses Christmas magic. His reindeer fly the sleigh around the world on Christmas Eve, and the magic gives him just enough time to visit every home while children are asleep.
Night falls at different times in different places, so Santa follows the night around the world. The elves pack his sack in just the right order, and somehow it never runs out of room.
Stop 5
Quiet, please. Santa is checking it twice.
Santa's elves keep the Nice List, and Santa pays attention to how kind you try to be all year long. Nobody is perfect, and trying your best is what counts.
Sharing, helping at home and being a good friend all make Santa smile. Check the naughty or nice list, or ask for a Nice List certificate.
Everyone has a grumpy day sometimes, and one bad day doesn't take you off the Nice List. Saying sorry and trying again is one of the kindest things you can do.
The elves don't keep a list of mistakes. They write down the good things: a shared toy, a helping hand, a brave sorry. Tomorrow is always a fresh page.
Stop 6
Something good is always in the oven.
On Christmas Eve, Santa loves cookies and a glass of milk, and his reindeer love crunchy carrots.
Back home, Mrs. Claus makes sure he eats a good warm dinner, with gingerbread and hot cocoa for dessert.
A few cookies and a glass of milk for Santa, and a carrot or two for the reindeer. A little note is lovely too.
Santa isn't fussy. Some families leave mince pies, a cup of cocoa or a treat from their own country, and he enjoys trying them all. Put the plate somewhere easy to find, like by the tree.
Ask Santa yourself. Follow a sign, and the elves will take it from there.
