Santa Under Scrutiny: Nearly Nine in Ten Parents Field Kids’ Toughest Questions About His Christmas Journey

• 89% parents face questions about Santa in the lead up to Christmas
• 93% of parents say reassuring kids about Santa’s capabilities is a top priority, as nearly one third of kids (30%) wonder how he delivers gifts to homes without a chimney
• This festive season, Hive introduces the ‘Reindeer Guarantee’ to reassure kids that Santa and his sleigh can deliver gifts to every home this Christmas—even those with eco-friendly upgrades like solar panels

From unwrapping presents to spotting Santa’s sleigh in the night sky, children are buzzing with excitement as the countdown to Christmas Day begins. But for parents, it’s also the season of answering some of life’s biggest mysteries—straight from the minds of curious kids.

According to new research from the UK’s eco-tech pioneer Hive, during the festive season, 89% of parents often face a barrage of festive queries from their children about Santa’s big night and his ability to deliver presents. The most common query from children is, “How will he know where we live?” (39%), closely followed by, “How does he know if we’ve been good or bad?” (38%) and “Will the dog scare Santa away?” (17%).

It comes as no surprise that, for kids, Christmas is the most magical time of the year—68% name it their favourite season. While unwrapping presents is loved by many little ones (36%), this excitement is closely followed by the much-anticipated arrival of Santa himself on Christmas Eve (20%).

However, modern homes leave kids scratching their heads over Santa’s logistics. For instance, 30% wonder how he delivers gifts to houses without a chimney. Technology adds to the festive intrigue: one in five children (18%) question how his sleigh lands safely on solar-panelled roofs. Over a quarter (28%) are curious about how he navigates past locks and alarms, while 16% worry he might be caught on a doorbell camera—or even a security system (10%).

And with over 9 in 10 (93%) parents agreeing that it’s crucial to reassure their children that Santa can visit every home, Hive has stepped in to help.

This year, Santa himself is joining forces with Hive to sprinkle a little extra magic and answer kids’ most pressing questions. Working with Father Christmas, Hive unveils it’s ‘Reindeer Guarantee’, a first-of-its-kind Christmas promise that Santa, his sleigh and all nine Reindeer can still deliver presents to homes that have had sustainable modifications. Parents who have homes with Hive eco-tech tools such as solar panels and motion sensors can rest easy, with the knowledge that this tech has Santa’s stamp of approval -guaranteeing his discreet deliveries.

“As homes evolve, so do kids’ questions,” said Susan Wells, Director of Solar & EV at Hive “They’re curious, imaginative, and full of wonder. At Hive, we’re thrilled to help Santa work seamlessly with modern homes so families can focus on the magic of the season. 

“Hive is here to make sustainable living effortless. Whether it’s navigating smart locks, tightly sealed energy-efficient windows, or ensuring reindeer-friendly landings on solar-powered rooftops, we’re proud to help families combine the magic of Christmas with eco-conscious living.”

In fact, nearly half (48%) of kids have even offered their own suggestions to help Santa navigate eco-friendly homes, from carefully parking on solar panels to using motion-sensor lights as guides.

Despite the pressing questions, families are finding creative ways to keep the season magical, with 27% telling their children that Santa has updated his technology to handle modern homes and 29% sharing the idea of a magic key that works with any type of door. A further 22% already claim that Santa’s sleigh comes with a “reindeer guarantee”, which prevents him from damaging solar panels.

Armed with his twinkling charm and plenty of holiday cheer, Santa himself weighed in on the modern challenges of his annual journey: “Every year, kids’ questions get smarter—and so do their homes! They’ve thought of everything, from reindeer slipping on glass roofs to how I get past smart alarms. 

“But my magic is timeless, and with a little help from Hive, I’m ready for any rooftop, lock, or solar panel that comes my way. Christmas is about joy and imagination, and I’ll always find a way to deliver.”

Amid the Christmas curiosity, time-honoured traditions still remain key, with 52% of parents hanging stockings, 47% leaving out mince pies and drinks for Santa, and 39% encouraging kids to write letters with their wish lists. Some families are even incorporating new habits, such as laying out “reindeer food” on their lawns (33%) or watching Santa trackers on Christmas Eve (28%).

Top 10 questions on Santa’s Christmas Eve journey:

1. How will he know where we live?

2. How does he know if we have been good or bad?

3. How does he remember the presents that children want?

4. Does he have too many presents to deliver?

5. Can he deliver presents in bad weather?

6. Will a lack of chimneys or installation of gas fires where the chimney was/woodburning stove prevent him from getting in?

7. Will he get stuck in the chimney?

8. Will the dog scare Santa away?

9. Will Santa be caught on the doorbell camera?

10. How will he park his sleigh on modern roofs i.e. glass roofs with solar panels?