Ok kids, no this isn't a gadget post, but you can break out your Smartphone or UMPC and chat with Santa this year thanks to Windows Live Messenger. Instead of standing in line next to coughing and sneezing kids at the mall, you can sit junior up at the computer and talk online with good 'ol Saint Nick. Just use Windows Live Messenger and add Northpole@live.com to your contact list and start chatting away with Santa.

In addition, Santa set up a Windows Live Spaces at http://santaonspaces.spaces.live.com/ to keep you up to date on his activities.

Starting Christmas Eve morning, kids can check in with Santa through Windows Live Messenger to follow his journey around the world. As Santa circles the globe delivering gifts, kids who ask him where he is or when he will arrive at their house will be directed to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa-tracking site through a link in the conversation window. More information on chatting with Santa through Windows Live Messenger can be found at http://santaonmessenger.com/ .