A personalized video message from Santa Claus

There's nothing quite like the look on a child's face when Santa says their name. eCardToon Santa Claus cards are short, fully animated videos in which Santa greets the recipient personally and delivers either his own classic Christmas message or the words you write — up to 50 of them.

Choose from six magical scenes, from Santa's workshop to a cozy fireplace and a starry sleigh ride, in phone (9:16) and widescreen (16:9) versions. Before you pay you'll see exactly what Santa will say, so names are spelled just the way you want them pronounced. Then Santa records it, and your card is ready within minutes.

Parents use Santa cards to celebrate good behavior, to encourage a big milestone (sleeping in the big-kid bed, being kind to a new sibling), or to answer a letter to the North Pole. Grandparents send them from across the country, and adults love them too — Santa is happy to tell your best friend they've made the nice list.

Need ideas for what Santa should say? He can mention a favorite toy or the family dog, praise a child for helping around the house, remind everyone to leave cookies out on Christmas Eve, or say how much he's looking forward to his visit. For older kids who still love the magic, Santa can bring up a hobby or a school achievement; for grown-ups, he can deliver a playful warning about staying off the naughty list. Many families gather around the living-room TV to watch together, while grandparents often send the link to a parent's phone so it can be played at bedtime. Some parents save the card for a special moment, like decorating the tree or opening the first door of an advent calendar, so it becomes part of a yearly family tradition.

Your card arrives by email with a private link that plays on any phone, tablet or TV, plus a downloadable video to keep. Christmas is December 25, but Santa's messages make the season magical all through December.