No, you didn’t imagine it. Santa really was out and about in Palos Hills last weekend.
Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer were still back at the North Pole resting up for Christmas Eve, so Palos Hills sent out its own standby: the Parks and Recreation bus. On Saturday, Dec. 6, Santa climbed on board with Community Resource and Parks Commissioner Kristin Violante and staff member Sophia Alfaro for the first weekend of door-to-door Santa visits.
Families did not need to wait in lines or fight crowds this year. They could simply stay home and listen for the knock on their front door. The second round of visits is set for Saturday, Dec. 13.
Santa made stops at some of the 76 families who signed up for the program. He even took a moment to check in on Alderman Donna O’Connell for a quick hello and a friendly hug before continuing the route.
When the bus reached Stephanie and Matt’s home, their daughters were inside and prepared for Santa’s arrival.
A Visit Built Around Comfort
Stephanie and Matt have lived in Palos Hills for three years. Their daughters Caolila, 6, Quinn, 5, and Ruth, 2, stood ready as Santa stepped through the doorway.
Quinn told Santa she had just started soccer that morning. Ruth held onto her gift bag with both hands. And Caolila, who is autistic, watched first before stepping forward when she felt ready. Santa moved at her pace, which helped her ease into the moment.
For this family, the visit worked in a way the traditional setup didn’t.
“When we heard about this, it just made sense,” Stephanie said. “Waiting in lines is hard. She doesn’t wait well, and last year we missed Santa because of that. This was calm. It fits our family.”
She said that although her daughter’s autism is not always noticeable to others, it shapes how they plan activities. “We try to pick things that are comfortable for her. This let us take part without worrying about crowds or anything that could make it overwhelming.”
Stephanie later shared that the family is moving through a difficult season after the loss of their infant son, Matthew Jr., in July. “The holidays feel very different this year,” she said. “Having Santa bring a little bit of Christmas magic straight into our home meant more than I could explain. It gave the girls a moment of joy we really needed.”
Why the City Took Santa on the Road
Parks and Recreation had already seen success with last year’s at-home Easter Bunny visits. The response encouraged them to try the same approach for the holidays. Kristin Violante and her team wanted an option that worked for families with young children, sensory needs, or simply busy schedules. The goal was to offer something more personal than a traditional meet-and-greet in a large room.
And it was easy to see how that idea played out once Santa walked into Stephanie and Matt’s living room.
Inside, Santa greeted each girl by name and handed out gift bags. After a quick family photo, he stepped back outside and boarded the bus to continue the route.
“This is something we will probably do every year,” Stephanie said. “It feels like we belong here.”
The visits continue on Dec. 13. If the first weekend was any indication, the quieter approach seems to be working for families who prefer a calmer, more familiar setting for meeting Santa.
