Where is Santa?!

30 years later, as in just last week, my mother showed me the house of our neighborhood “Santa” that used to drop off our gifts! As in, parents would drop off gifts to his house the day before and this burly old friendly man would take on the job of making every kids dream come true. I’m so serious and so tickled as an adult that they’d go so out of their way to keep a little dream alive!

And just a few years ago, thanks to the new generation of kids in our family, I got hip to Santa Tracker. Santa is this enigmatic figure that never dies. He lives on and on and on. He’s got a purpose! And his mission never changes. The beautiful thing about this fantastical hero is the enormity of his job. He’s got global reach. He’s all over the world, spreading good cheer. Everyone knows Santa! And everyone wants to know where he is the night before! How does he make it to every country in the world in 24 hours?! What’s his route? Does he stop for gas? Do the reindeers tire and need a break?

Who knows, really! But, at least curious minds get to follow his exciting and very energetic path on the Santa Tracker site! My friends at OnStar  — the most efficient travel and roadside assistance program out there — along with NORAD — North American Aerospace Defense Command (fancy organizing, right!) is bringing out the kid in all of us the 6th year in a row! Well, if you’re a subscriber, anyway!

If you have an active account, you can see Santa’s trek right on your screen as of tomorrow morning, 7 a.m. (EST) Christmas Eve and through 5 a.m. (EST) Christmas morning. Request an update by hitting your blue OnStar button and an advisor will get you right there with the rest of world, wondering where Ol’ Saint Nick is flying off to next! How awesome will your kids think you are by letting them see where Santa is as you drive over to Grandma’s house for dinner?

Or if you’re crazy like me and doing some last minute shopping, keep the kids entertained while you try to keep things in order! If you’re not near the car… say, you’re at home baking, wrapping gifts or watching movies, have the kids call (877-446-6723) in or check his progress online. That’s what my nieces and nephews do when they’re having with Tia Bren… And since it’s the season to be merry and giving, OnStar will donate $1 to United Way for Southeastern Michigan for every call placed and received. Talk about a wonderful Christmas gift.

Thanks to the advent of social media, we can all follow Santa’s progress, really when he’ll be in your neck of the woods, on Twitter or with the tag #NORADSanta. I mean, Santa is new age cool!

Share your Christmas story with us! Does your family track Santa? Check out how Santa will be using OnStar this year on their Connected Santa page. He’s up to something innovate!

Don't forget to check out my debut cookbook!