Modern computer technology gives kids access to Santa like never before. Unfortunately, along with that access comes plenty of websites exploiting Santa for profit.
Some argue that a website selling access to Santa is no different than a mall selling pictures with the jolly old elf. But for the price you pay at the mall you are receiving a tangible product. And if you don't want pictures taken with Santa you can still talk to him -- free of charge. Santa usually will take as much time with mere visitors as he will with paying customers in a mall setting.
Here are some definite links to avoid when seeking Santa online:
Santa Calls Me.com -- here is a site where Santa will call any child for a price. A phone call before December 22nd costs $16.99. Up through Christmas Day Santa charges more, up to $27.99 for just a few minutes on the phone.
Voice of Santa.com -- For $30 Santa will send you 2 minutes of personal audio in MP3 format. This site is quickly gaining a notorious reputation online with Christmas webmasters for spamming Christmas forums and threatening site operators with bad publicity if they don't allow free links to their website. "Santa" apparently has his own radio show in the Atlanta, Georgia market, you see.
Santa Speaking.com -- For $18 you can watch Santa's departure from the North Pole. This site also sells CDs of Christmas music "officially" approved by Santa Claus.
For those seeking Santa without the sticker price we suggest the following reputable sources for online contact with Santa Claus:
Santa Search.org -- A 10-year old non-profit enterprise staffed by year-round volunteers who help kids find Santa online, Santa Search offers user-reviewed links to Santa online, coordinated charitable outreach and FREE emails and letters from Santa Claus.
Santa At Home.com -- A clean, simple and free Santa resource offering free return emails from Santa Claus.
Free Phone Calls from Santa -- sponsored by Cincinnati Bell, this free service offers a slick online interface for ordering calls. Also staffed by volunteers.
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