Parents Only

Let’s be honest—kids are clever, and the magic of Christmas sometimes needs a little help from us grown-ups.

The other day, a lovely lady in town shared a dilemma: her kids were puzzled. “If Santa arrives by lifeboat in St Ives, how does he get down the chimney?”
Here’s the secret, just for parents:

Ever wondered how Santa can arrive in St Ives by Lifeboat and yet still fit down your chimney (or even leave presents when there’s no chimney available)?

We’ve got you……

Here’s the secret: Santa is, of course, magic.

He’s not bound by boats or sleighs or even the laws of physics! In fact, Santa has a very special power—he can transform himself from his jolly human form into a trail of shimmering red light. It’s this red light that lets him travel at incredible speed, unseen and unhindered, all around the world in a single night.

In St Ives, the magic begins out in the bay. On the evening of his arrival, if you watch very closely, you might catch a glimpse of a streak of red light dancing over the waves. That’s Santa, arriving in his magical form.

When the RNLI lifeboat heads out, it’s not just picking up Santa—it’s welcoming him back into his human shape, ready to wave to the crowds and bring joy to the harbour.

But here’s the best part (and this is the bit you’ll want to remember for Christmas Eve): when it’s time to deliver presents, Santa simply becomes that trail of red light again. He can slip down chimneys, through keyholes, or even under doors—no mess, no soot, and no house left out, even if there’s not a chimney in sight.

So, next time your little ones ask how Santa manages it all, you’ll have the answer: it’s the magic of the red light. And in St Ives, we’re lucky enough to see that magic begin every December, right on our very own harbour.

(But remember—this is just between us grown-ups. The magic is even more powerful when it’s a secret!)