Christmas morning is the most magical time of the entire season. After sleeping with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, the little ones can hardly wait to leap out of bed, race down the stairs, and tear open the treasures that Santa left behind. But while many kids seem to have an internal clock that wakes them before dawn, some parents find themselves itching for their kids to hurry up and get out of bed already so the magic can finally begin! Here’s how you can use smart technology to get everyone up and at ‘em, with an added pinch of holiday spirit.
- Flash the lights in Christmas colors.
What better way to wake on Christmas morning than to your bedroom lights changing from red to green to silver and back again? If your smart lights are capable of changing colors, then this is as easy as using a smart outlet or setting up a routine in the companion app that controls the lights. You can also use an “If this, then that“ rule to carry it out. Wake the kids from the comfort of your own bed with the press of a button on your smartphone
- Create a festive trail with lights.
This requires motion sensors a lot of smart lights to work, but it’s a really fun trick if you can set it up. Use rules to have your lights flash in sequence. When it’s time to get out of bed, the kids’ moving feet will trigger the sensors to trigger the lights. Have them flash outside the kids’ door, then down the hallway, and then through the rest of the home until the lights end at the Christmas tree. If you invest in smart Christmas lights, you can end the sequence with a flashing star on top of the tree.
- Play the sound of sleigh bells.
Nothing wakes a child up faster than the sound of Santa’s sleigh as he flies away to his next destination. That distinctive jingle tells us that freshly-delivered presents wait under the tree. If you don’t already have smart speakers set up, consider hiding some in your kids’ rooms. You can even use Bluetooth speakers if you don’t want to purchase a series of smart assistants. Once everything is in place, play a recording of sleigh bells on Christmas morning.
- Use smart speakers for Christmas carols in their bedrooms.
Waking up to music sets the tone for the day — and with Christmas music, the more, the merrier. Play festive holiday music over your smart speakers and join in on your favorite songs. Stand right outside your kids’ doors and sing at the top of your lungs. It will bring them running, guaranteed.
- Use video footage to prove that Santa real.
Want to show the kids that Santa really does exist? Play footage from your smart security camera of the man in red visiting your home. (Dad or Grandpa may have to be a stand-in if you don’t have any luck catching the big guy on Christmas Eve.) You’ll have the whole family saying, “I believe.”
- Set the smart oven for a Christmas morning breakfast.
The only thing that’s better than a full Christmas stocking is a belly full of Christmas morning treats. Wake up to the smell of a freshly-baked coffee cake or casserole and let your kids’ noses follow the scent. Have older kids in the house? A smart coffee pot might be just the ticket that rouses them from their Christmas slumber.
There are plenty of smart ways to wake up your kids on Christmas morning, but let’s face it: the kids may beat you to it. After all, it’s usually the parents who need a little help getting out of bed on Christmas morning! Happy holidays!
Patrick Hearn is an Atlanta-based writer for Xfinity Home, where you can integrate smart lighting as part of a full security system. When Patrick isn’t learning new ways to put his smart lights to use, he can be found in the kitchen working on perfecting his morning coffee recipe.