Santa cam
Santa cam: catch Santa on your own camera this Christmas
A Santa cam shows Santa in your home the way a real camera would see him: on the doorbell, in grainy night vision, or from the corner of the living room. With CaughtTheMagic you make one from a photo of your own room, so your kids see Santa next to their own tree.
Your first photo is free.
What is a Santa cam?
Families have always looked for proof that Santa came: half eaten cookies, a note, a sooty footprint. A Santa cam is the modern version. It is a picture or clip that looks like it came from a camera in your house on Christmas Eve.
Generic Santa cam videos show a stranger's living room. The magic works much better when kids recognize the room, the tree and the stockings. That is why we start from your own photo.
Pick a Santa cam style
Doorbell cam: a wide fisheye view of the front door or porch with a Christmas Eve timestamp.
Night vision: grainy infrared footage, like a baby monitor or night camera caught Santa in the dark.
Security cam: grainy home CCTV footage with a camera number and timestamp. Take your photo from up high, where a real camera would hang, for the most convincing result.
Phone snapshot: a slightly blurry photo, as if someone grabbed their phone just in time.
How to make a Santa cam photo
1. Take a photo of the room where Santa should appear. The tree or fireplace works best. Keep people out of the shot.
2. Upload it and choose a camera style. We add Santa so the light and angle match your room.
3. Download the photo, or turn it into a five second video of Santa moving through the room.
Tips for the best Santa cam
Take the photo at night with the tree lights on. It matches the story that Santa came after bedtime.
Shoot from where a camera would really be: high in a corner, at the front door, or on a shelf.
Show it on Christmas morning on a phone or the TV, next to the empty cookie plate.
Questions parents ask
Is the Santa cam free?
Your first photo is free when you create an account. After that, credit packs start at $4.99 for 5 credits, enough for a photo and a video. There is no subscription.
Can I make a Santa cam video?
Yes. Any Santa photo you make can be turned into a five second video for 4 credits.
Do I need a real doorbell or security camera?
No. A normal photo from your phone is enough. We make it look like it came from the camera style you choose.
Do you need photos of my kids?
No. Upload a photo of the room only, with no people in it.
Your first photo is free.