A Santa sighting at Stanford Children’s confirms these babies are officially on the nice list
The census at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford was high ahead of the holidays, with several patients scheduled for discharge. For the infants and children spending the coming days in the hospital, Santa offered reassurance during a recent appearance that he was aware of their current address. Before embarking on his global delivery route, he visited with more than 200 patients and families. First stop? The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Dressed in his traditional red suit, Santa tiptoed quietly through the NICU, quietly jingling and pausing beside bassinets, incubators, and rocking chairs. The visit was intentionally low-key, designed to avoid overstimulation in a space where routine is part of daily care.
Hospital staff said the visit was as meaningful for families as it was for the babies, particularly given the challenges of spending the holiday season in a medical setting. Parents—many of whom have spent weeks or even months in the hospital—said they were charmed by Santa’s surprise appearance.
Santa shared special mementos—signed seasonal books featuring beloved holiday stories, including The Polar Express, How to Catch a Snowman, First Winter, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, I Need a Hug, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, in both English and Spanish. Families unable to receive visitors were still remembered, with Santa leaving handwritten notes, along with a Polaroid photo of himself outside each room as proof he had been there.
“These moments matter,” said Kirsten Cotten-Sheldon, a child life specialist and recreation therapist who has worked at the hospital for more than 25 years. “Families are under enormous stress. Seeing something familiar and hopeful, even briefly, can bring joy during this time of year.”
The babies, many asleep during the visit, were unaware of the holiday figure leaning close to whisper well wishes.
The holiday magic extended beyond patients. Nurses and hospital staff joined in the celebration, snapping photos, sharing laughs, and embracing the festive spirit.
To see the extended video cut from Santa’s visit with kids on every unit, visit the @StanfordChildrens page on Instagram.
