We use Norad every year. About 2 hours ago, it was counting down from around 5 hours before Santa starts his journey. We are ready for take-off!
And we use the "I am going to call Santa to find out the truth" thing when my kids come in and get into one of those "he's lying, I didn't do it, it was him!" moments. Once I told the boys I was going to check the video tape to see who was telling the truth. My youngest owned up to it and then when they walked out, thehusbandguy looked at me in amazement and said, "I don't fcking believe that worked."