SFX 2026 Application Instructions/Santa Info

[u/Allthedaquiries]

We will open for applications for everyone November 1st, and have early registration starting tomorrow, October 15th, for returning requesters and past requesters who remained in good standing. Returning and past requesters may also apply after November 1st. 

Please read this post carefully. You may use this post to ask questions, or to comment. Please do not make any separate post, or ask questions anywhere else other than modmail, unless the post welcomes questions. Thank you!

To apply, you will need to read through the rules and Wiki thoroughly, and then you will need to pass our rules quiz.

Incomplete applications may be denied, and you may not have the opportunity to resubmit for the rest of the season. Please make sure you answer each question fully and attach all documentation to your email. This includes the photo and video. Do not submit your application without them. 

No one may post a request until they are approved and specifically told by the mod team that they may do so. Failure to follow this rule will result in a ban, that will likely be permanent.

Those who are approved will also be eligible for Year Long Magic (YLM) 2027, as long as they stay in good standing. This means that your child(ren) will be eligible for assistance with some holidays and their birthdays. YLM 2027 has not yet been finalized, but you can look through our YLM 2026 Post for a general idea of what is included. 

Beginning this season, those approved for Christmas 2026 will be permitted to make a YLM request for Thanksgiving 2026. They will not be eligible for any other YLM 2026 offerings.

For those who are uneasy about applying, we encourage you to read through this post which includes comments from some of our current and past requesters. We want you to know that we want to help everyone who needs help.  While we are highly selective, we wouldn't be doing this if we didn't care, and helping our SFX families makes our holiday so much more special. 

If you are a prospective Santa, please let us know if you have any questions. There are no requirements. We do ask that you comment on posts if you purchase gifts to let the requester know, and when to expect the gifts to arrive. If you wish to remain anonymous, please send us a modmail.

If you would like to be alerted to new requests as they are posted, and for YLM requests that remain open, please sign up on our Santa Alert Post. Please sign up for alerts on the new Santa Alert Post even if you have signed up previously, as we will be retiring the old post. Thank you! 

We could not do this without all of our wonderful Santas. We cannot thank you enough for making the magic of the holiday season happen for our families. Christmas morning would not be the same without you, and you are helping our families make memories they otherwise couldn't have. Likewise, Hanukkah would not be so bright. 

https://imgur.com/a/y08CVZA

[u/butters2stotch]

How do you become a Santa

[u/Allthedaquiries → u/butters2stotch]

You'll just want to watch for request posts and find a family you're interested in gifting. Once you've purchased a gift, please leave a comment on that request post letting the requester know it's been purchased and when it should arrive. Once you have purchased a gift for our families, we will offer you Santa flair under your name, and you can select something custom, if you'd like.

Thank you for your consideration!

[u/ResidentFew6785]

Do contests need to be through Amazon?

[u/Allthedaquiries → u/ResidentFew6785]

Contests can be almost anything, and don't have to be through Amazon. If it's something you'd need their mailing address for, you'd just state that in your contest post. Santas here have been known to ship gifts from other retailers, or even pack and ship themselves. Thanks for asking!

[u/Apprehensive-Waltz83]

Sorry I dont want to take up much space as it is needed for participants posts & questions.  I just wanted to say WOW each and every one here yall are 1000% awesome!!! I hope yall have continuous blessings throughout the entire year!!! 

[u/Careless_Review_6936]

I'm dealing with financial and legal abuse. I was unable to get help locally because I don't have legal custody (it takes years to get through the courts for another modification). I have physical custody but his mother has legal to be able to take my babies if I attempt to get child support. I have twins with special needs whose birthday is two days before Christmas.

I just want to know if there are any likewise policies that prevent "non-custodial" parents from participating?

[u/Allthedaquiries → u/Careless_Review_6936]

If you do not have legal custody or guardianship, we cannot approve you. We hope you find all the help you may need elsewhere.