Forget Elf on the Shelf: this Christmas it's all about the Santa Cam

Ariane Beeston

Nov 21 2016 at 7:47 AM

Move aside Elf on the Shelf, this Christmas it's all about the Santa Cam.

If you've already started unleashing the "Santa is watching"t hreats like Shawn here, then it might be the magic bauble you've been looking for to get through the festive season intact.

Busted out my first "Santa is watching" scare tactic of the 2016 season. Welcome back, old friend.
— Shawn Freeze (@shawn_freeze) November 17, 2016

Santa Cam is basically a Christmas decoration with a pretend camera lens –complete with a red dot to show that it's recording. Genius? Creepy? A little bit of both, perhaps?

Why didn't I have these when my kids were Little? #santacam

A photo posted by Casey Cassidy Ferguson (@casey1968) on Nov 17, 2016 at 3:04pm PST

Forget about the elf. Check out this Santa Spy Cam ornament!! Personalized with your childs name or family name on the back. $5 each plus shipping. Email cheerspirits@yahoo.com to order. #santacam #santaspycam #CheerSpirits #elfonashelf

A photo posted by Cheer_Spirits (@cheerspirits_) on Nov 15, 2016 at 7:34am PST

The best part is – you can even DIY.

Just listed our take on the #SantaCam ornaments. Link to shop is in the bio. #christmas #ornaments #BetterThenTheElfOnTheShelf #dontstopbelieving #christmasdecorations #supportsmallbusiness

A photo posted by @palmtreesandpigtails on Nov 15, 2016 at 7:10pm PST

And the kids love it. Take a look at this adorable little girl chatting away to Father Christmas via her very own Santa Cam:

Haha! Had to share! Someone has been on their best behavior ( which is negotiable) since I installed the Santa Cam [🎅] [🎥] from @paperlypress ! (One of my favorite Etsy shops!) She has also been talking to it in Oprah proportions: "EVERYONE IS GETTING A SLEIGH "!!!!! #dontstopbelieving #paperlypress #coolchristmas #christmasdecorations #shitkidsdo #kidsarefunny #santacam #momlife #omg # [😂] # [🎅] #ilovechristmas #popnatural #loveofmylife [❤] ️ #papergoods #caketoppers #supportsmallbusiness #santababy

A video posted by P [❤] ️P! Natural [🤘] [💀] U.S.A (@popnatural) on Nov 14, 2016 at 6:07pm PST

It's not just parents, however, who are wholeheartedly embracing the latest in Santa surveillance – school teachers love Santa Cam, too.

My version of the viral "Santa Cam." Link in profile! #santacam #betternotpout #teachersofinstagram #iteachk #iteach #teachersfollowteachers

A photo posted by Lauren Stahlman (@keepcalmlovek) on Nov 14, 2016 at 3:09pm PST

When you're a teacher just trying to make it through the holidays! #santacam

A photo posted by Kelsee Drawdy (@kelseedrawdy) on Nov 15, 2016 at 12:22pm PST

And if you're not ready to ditch the Elf – you can always combine the two for maximum impact:

Not lineman related but super cute! [🎅] [🎁] [🎄] #santacam #santacamera #ornaments #begoodforgoodnesssake #christmas #santaclaus #elfontheshelf #huckleberry #akahuck #handmade #linkinbio #couponinbio #etsy #crackerchildcrafts

A photo posted by Christa (@crackerchild317) on Nov 17, 2016 at 12:38pm PST

A word of warning though: good behaviour not guaranteed. Just ask this mum.

Helllp!! My Santa Camera isn't working!!! It's supposed to make your kids be good! Malfunction Malfunction [😩] [😩] ... #JadaNoooooo #happyholidays #SantaCam

A video posted by JaNea' Adams-Gee (@mrs_trilogee) on Nov 17, 2016 at 2:55pm PST

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