The Nice List explained
4 November 2026
The Nice List is Santa's list of children who have tried to be kind and good during the year. The idea of Santa keeping a list of who has been naughty or nice was popularised by the 1934 song "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", but it grew from much older traditions of St Nicholas rewarding good children. Used warmly, it is a way to notice and celebrate kindness, not a threat.
What is the Nice List?
In Christmas folklore, Santa keeps track of every child through the year, helped by his elves. Children who have tried their best to be kind, helpful and honest go on the Nice List, and those on it can expect a visit on Christmas Eve. In practice – and in almost every family's version of the story – everyone ends up on the Nice List. Santa understands that children make mistakes; what counts is trying.
Where does the idea of a naughty or nice list come from?
The idea that a Christmas gift-bringer rewards good children is old. In parts of Europe, St Nicholas traditionally visited on the eve of his feast day, 6 December, bringing treats for well-behaved children, and in some Alpine regions he was accompanied by a frightening companion, Krampus, who dealt with the badly behaved. English Heritage's history of Father Christmas includes an early 20th-century Austrian card showing St Nicholas and Krampus together.
The specific picture of Santa writing a list and checking it twice comes from the song "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie and first performed on Eddie Cantor's radio show in November 1934. The song's warning that Santa knows who has been naughty or nice became one of the best-known ideas in modern Christmas folklore. Our page on Father Christmas vs Santa Claus covers how the American Santa reached Britain.
How does Santa know who is on the Nice List?
The traditional answer is that Santa sees and hears a great deal – with a lot of help from the elves. Many families add their own details: an elf who watches from a shelf during December, a magic window at the North Pole, or the letters children write. It is entirely up to you how much detail to add.
How to use the Nice List kindly
The Nice List works best as encouragement, not a threat. Some ideas:
- Notice the good out loud. "That was really kind, sharing your crayons. I think Santa would love that." This builds the behaviour you want far more than warnings.
- Praise effort and kindness, not just obedience. Helping a friend, being brave at the doctor's or telling the truth when it was hard are Nice List moments.
- Avoid "you'll go on the naughty list". Threatening to cancel Christmas is hard to carry out, can cause real worry in anxious children, and undermines the warmth that makes Santa special.
- Separate the behaviour from the child. If a bad day happens, "Everyone has wobbly days. Santa knows you're a kind person" keeps them feeling safe.
- Make it about others. Encourage a "kindness count" in December: small things done for family, neighbours or friends.
Does the naughty list change behaviour?
Not much, according to the evidence there is. A University of Exeter online survey of around 1,200 people, published in 2018, found that around a third of respondents said believing in Santa had improved their behaviour, but 47% said the threat of being on the naughty list had not affected their behaviour (University of Exeter). It was a self-selecting survey of adults remembering their childhoods rather than a controlled trial, so treat it lightly – but it fits what many parents notice: warmth and praise tend to work better than threats.
Nice List certificates and letters
A certificate confirming a child is on the Nice List has become a popular part of Christmas in many homes. It works best when it is specific: their name, the year and two or three real reasons – "for being a brilliant big sister", "for trying hard with your reading", "for being kind to the new boy in class". A Nice List certificate fits nicely alongside a reply from Santa; see what to write in a letter from Santa for phrases that work for both.
Keep each year's certificate. Read back together, they become a lovely record of what your child was proud of as they grew – see keepsake letters for children.
When does Santa check the list?
Families tell it differently. Some say the list is finished in early December, which is a helpful way to stop worrying about last-minute wobbles. Others say Santa checks it one final time on Christmas Eve before he sets off. If your child is anxious, choose the first version and tell them their place is already confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nice List?
The Nice List is Santa's list of children who have tried to be kind and good during the year. In most families' telling, every child who tries their best ends up on it.
Where does the naughty or nice list come from?
The idea of a gift-bringer rewarding good children goes back to St Nicholas traditions in Europe. The image of Santa making a list and checking it twice was popularised by the song "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", first performed in 1934.
Is it OK to threaten children with the naughty list?
Many parents find it backfires: it is hard to follow through, can worry anxious children and takes the warmth out of Santa. Noticing and praising kind behaviour is usually more effective.
Can a child go on the naughty list for one bad day?
In most families' version of the story, no. Santa looks at the whole year and knows everyone has difficult days. What matters is trying to be kind.
What should a Nice List certificate say?
The child's name, the year and two or three specific reasons they are on the Nice List, such as being kind, brave or helpful. Specific reasons make it feel personal and believable.