Who are we scanning?
Official small print: the elves make the number up. Nothing you type leaves this page.
How it works
Type a first name into the checker and press Scan. It sweeps the candy-cane frame and announces this year's verdict as a percentage. It is a game: the elves, by which we mean a small piece of arithmetic, make the number up, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Using it kindly
- Scan a grown-up first. Let a parent or grandparent get the cheeky result, so a small child sees it is a game before it is their turn.
- Read the note, not just the number. Each verdict comes with a line such as "says please, mostly". That is the bit children repeat.
- Make it a moment, not a threat. It works best as five minutes of laughing on a December evening, not as a bargaining chip at bedtime.
- Follow it with the certificate. A printed nice list certificate on the fridge lasts longer than a number on a screen.
Questions people ask
Will the result change if I try again?
No. The same name gets the same verdict all season, so nobody can keep pressing the button until they win, and brothers and sisters can compare fairly. The list resets on the first of January.
Can someone really end up on the naughty list?
Not here. Every verdict lands on the nice side, some with a note that a strong finish to the year is advised. If you want a lower number for a grown-up who can take a joke, the app has a camera and fewer scruples.