Is Santa a mom? A hilarious viral video makes the case

Ah, the holidays—a magical time filled with twinkling lights, cozy pajamas, and… the relentless mental load of motherhood. If you’ve ever found yourself buried under gift lists, cookie trays, teacher presents, Christmas concerts, holiday cards, end-of-year work deadlines, and late-night present wrapping, you might appreciate the latest viral TikTok trend making a bold claim: Santa is 100% a mom.  

The star of this viral sleigh ride? Caitlin Wilder (@wilderbeginnings), a mom of two, who cleverly argues that the jolly guy in the red suit might just be the unsung hero of every household: a sleep-deprived mom. (We think it checks out.) 

@wilderbeginnings You cannot convince me otherwise. #christmas #holidaymagic #momsoftiktok #momlife #santa ♬ Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town – Mariah Carey

Let’s examine the evidence.

Is Santa really just a mom in disguise?

In a now-viral Tiktok video with over 420,000 views, she lays out her case with compelling clarity. Here’s her breakdown of why the “Santa = Mom” theory just might stand up in the court of TikTok opinion:

1. “He’s making a list and checking it twice”

If there’s one thing moms excel at, it’s list-making. Grocery lists, chore lists, gift lists… Wilder calls this “mom mental load coded.” Santa may check his list twice, but moms? They’re on draft 12, cross-referencing it with Amazon shipping deadlines and Target Circle sale updates.

2. “He knows when you’re awake”

Santa’s got nothing on a mom’s sixth sense. Moms can hear a baby’s whimper from five rooms away or sense a toddler about to destroy something just because. Wilder nails it: “Moms know when their kids wake up before they do.”

3. “Knows if you’ve been naughty or nice”

Who’s better than Santa at determining guilt in sibling disputes? Moms are the ultimate investigators, capable of unraveling a “he hit me first” mystery with just a raised eyebrow and a sip of cold coffee.

4. “Always wears a comfy uniform”

Santa’s red suit = a mom’s leggings and oversized sweater. Wilder quips, “This is peak new mom fashion.” And honestly? Same.

5. “Carries a giant bag full of everything”

Santa’s sack of toys has nothing on the average mom’s diaper bag. Moms are out here hauling snacks, wipes, spare clothes, toddler toys, and hope. Santa who?

6. “Up all night visiting kids across the world (or house)”

Let’s be real: Santa only does one night. Moms are up every night, responding to cries for water, lost stuffed animals, or existential toddler questions about life at 3 a.m. Wilder sums it up: “It’s part of the job.”

Related: Mom nails the ‘mental load’ of Christmas cards—because they really are a pain

Why moms really are the magic behind the holidays

Before kids, you might’ve thought holiday magic just happened. But now? Moms know the truth: magic is 90% planning, 10% coffee, and 100% exhaustion. Wilder’s video strikes a chord because it’s so hilariously real. Moms aren’t just making Christmas happen; they are Christmas.

One commenter nailed it, saying, “All I’m saying is I’ve never seen Santa and a mom in the same room, ever 👀.” Another chimed in, “This video proves it. I believe.”

The bottom line

Sure, Santa’s magical, but moms are the real MVPs. They’re making the lists, decking the halls, and sneaking gifts under the tree while the world sleeps. This holiday season, let’s give Santa credit—but don’t forget to pour an extra glass of eggnog for the moms. (And dads, feel free to try Fair Play at Christmas and take a big load off the mom in your life, she deserves it.)  

So, is Santa a mom? We’re not saying yes, but… we’re also not saying no. 🎅💁‍♀️

Related: This dad’s toddler-safe Christmas tree hack is pure genius