Looking for the Santa video that will really wow your kids? Ask three questions: does Santa appear in your own home, does he say your child's name, and is the video checked before you get it? HoHo Cam! does all three, in English or Spanish, for $19 (or $39 for a pack of 4 videos), delivered within 48 hours by email. If you'd rather have Santa talking to your child from the North Pole, a message video is the better fit.
Three questions to ask before you choose
- Where is Santa? Some videos show Santa in his workshop or village. Others show him in your living room, as “proof” he came. Decide which story you want to tell.
- How personal is it? Hearing their own name is the moment kids remember. Check whether Santa says it out loud, and whether you can fix the pronunciation.
- Who makes it? With an app, you make the video yourself and you check the result. With a done-for-you service, someone else makes it and checks it for you.
Santa video options compared
Prices and features of other products below come from each company's own website or App Store page, read on October 18, 2026. They can change, so check before you buy.
| Option | Santa in your own room? | Says your child's name? | Who makes it | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HoHo Cam! | Yes, made from your room photo | Yes, spoken + name card | Done for you, checked before delivery, within 48 hours by email | $19 single, $39 pack of 4 (orders open November 2026) |
| SantaWasHere (web) | Yes, from your photo | Yes | Automatic AI video; its site says it usually takes a few minutes | From $9.99 |
| Santa Spotted (iPhone app) | Yes, from a photo of your tree or room | Not stated on its website | You make it in the app | Not shown on its website |
| Caught on Camera: Santa (iPhone/iPad app) | Adds Santa to your own photo | Not mentioned in its App Store listing | You make it in the app | $4.99 (US App Store) |
| Portable North Pole (web + app) | No, Santa appears in his village | Yes, plus many other details | You fill in a form; most videos ready in minutes | Free trial video; paid single videos or a yearly Magic Pass (prices vary by country) |
Every option here can make a child happy. The cheaper apps are quick and fine if you enjoy doing it yourself. HoHo Cam! costs more because each video is made from your room and checked before it reaches you. For a closer look at the most popular message service, see HoHo Cam! vs Portable North Pole.
An app you make yourself, or a done-for-you video?
- App: cheaper or free, often fast, and you're in control. You also do the work, and if Santa looks odd, it's up to you to try again.
- Done for you (HoHo Cam!): you send one photo and a first name. We make the video and check it before delivery. If we get something wrong (the name, the photo, a broken file), we fix it free.
Doorbell camera or living-room camera?
Doorbell-style clips show Santa outside your front door. A living-room view shows him inside, tiptoeing past your sofa and leaving gifts under your own tree, which is where kids look for proof on Christmas morning. HoHo Cam! is an indoor, living-room view. It doesn't connect to any real camera, and we're not affiliated with any camera brand.
Free or paid?
Free Santa videos exist. Portable North Pole, for example, offers a free trial video, which its site says is usually available until December 19. Free versions tend to have fewer personal details. HoHo Cam! has no free version, because every video is made from your own room photo.
Is a Santa video worth it?
It depends on your child. For believers aged about 3 to 9, seeing Santa in their own home and hearing their name can be the highlight of the morning. If your child is older or already knows a lot about AI, they may be skeptical: every HoHo Cam! video carries a small “AI” label. For free ideas that pair well with a video, see how to show kids Santa was here.
Catch Santa for $19See all packs
HoHo Cam! orders open in November 2026. Join the waitlist and we'll email you when they open. No payment and no photo needed now, just an adult's email.
Packs and prices
Single video
Santa visits your living room and says your child's name.
Pack of 4 videos
Each child gets their own video with their own name.
Orders open November 2026. Order by Dec 21 for delivery by Dec 23. Compare what's in each pack · Join the waitlist
🔒 Download your video and keep it — it's yours forever. To protect your family's privacy, we delete your photo 30 days after delivery and remove your video from our servers after 60 days. Your download link expires then, so save your copy.
AI disclosure: Santa, his motion and his voice are created with AI video and voice tools. The security-camera look is a creative effect, not real CCTV footage, and we're not affiliated with any camera brand. Every video carries a small “AI” label and is checked before delivery.
Questions parents ask
Is there a free Santa video?
Yes. Some services have free trial videos; Portable North Pole says its free trial video is usually available until December 19. Free versions usually have fewer personal details. HoHo Cam! has no free version because each video is made from your own room photo.
What's the difference between a Santa app and a done-for-you video?
With an app, you make the video yourself and check it yourself. With HoHo Cam!, you send one photo of your room and a first name, and we make the video and check it before you get it.
What age is a Santa video for?
HoHo Cam! is made for children who believe in Santa, about 3 to 9 years old. Older kids who know a lot about AI may be more skeptical.
Can Santa speak Spanish?
Yes. HoHo Cam! videos are available in English or Spanish. See our Spanish page.
Is HoHo Cam! a subscription?
No. You pay once: $19 for a single video or $39 for a pack of 4 videos (one per child, up to 4 children).
How long does a HoHo Cam! video take?
Within 48 hours, by email. Order by December 21 for delivery by December 23. Every video is checked before delivery.
How much does a personalized Santa video cost?
From free trials to a few dollars for apps, and more for done-for-you videos. HoHo Cam! is $19 for one video or $39 for a pack of 4. Orders open in November 2026.