Santa Claus is using the latest digital tools to spread holiday cheer through a text-messaging campaign and an application on AT&T U-verse TV, according to the North Pole.

AT&T customers who text the keyword SANTA to the short code 1224 between now and Dec. 24 will receive an invitation from jolly old St. Nick himself to text back their wish-lists for this holiday season. Thanks to a special agreement between Santa and AT&T, text messages sent to this short code?and the reply text messages from Santa?will be offered at no charge.

?We want to provide customers with a fun way to use text messaging this holiday season, as well as illustrate the way that texting has become a central way that people communicate?even Santa?s doing it,? said Jenny Bridges, spokeswoman for AT&T, Dallas, TX.

AT&T is the No. 2 carrier in the U.S. based on number of wireless subscribers.

Texting a list, checking it twice
Good little boys and girls nationwide can text their holiday wish-list to Santa and track Santa?s sleigh journey, thanks to the bearded man in red and some of his helpers, including AT&T.

Santa will then send a text message in response to engage the children of AT&T subscribers.

When customers first text in to the short code, they will receive a message similar to:

?So you figured out how to text me, huh? Terrific! You can reply now and txt me your wish list. This is so much more convenient than opening all those letters! I?ll be sure to respond once I get back from feeding the reindeer. Those little fellows sure can eat! Ho Ho Ho!?

When they reply with details on what they want Santa to bring them, they may receive messages similar to:

?This is an impressive list. My to-do list just keeps getting longer?and now Mrs. Claus wants my help making a life-sized gingerbread house! Have no fear?I will get it all done! The elves and I are racing against the clock to help make your holiday wishes come true! Happy Holidays! Sincerely, Santa Claus?

Here is another sample text message:

?What a list you have! I just woke up from a long winter nap and was heading to get some hot chocolate from the kitchen. But after seeing your text, I am going straight to the elves? workshop to put in your request! Keep being nice and I think you?ll be very pleased with your gifts this year! Warm regards, Santa Claus?

AT&T decided not to include the keyword and short code in any advertisements.

U-verse app
Families can also keep up with Santa and enjoy holiday fun for the whole family with a new interactive Santa Tracker application and on-demand holiday entertainment on AT&T U-verse TV.

This year, U-verse TV families will be able to visit the North Pole and follow Santa?s every move on Christmas Eve with Santa Tracker.

The application is now available to all U-verse TV and Internet customers at no extra charge on channel 98 for the holiday season.

With Santa Tracker, families will be able to read bios for Santa?s reindeer; get holiday arts and crafts project ideas; play sing-a-longs for popular holiday music; read facts about the North Pole; play ?Gingerbread Man? and ?Repeat? holiday games; and view a countdown to Christmas Eve.

Subscribers will also be able to vote on whether their family deserves a visit from Santa in the ?Naughty and Nice? poll, and can see instant polling results from other U-verse TV families.

And on Christmas Eve, subscribers can watch live reports from the Santa News Network to see if Santa has left the North Pole and track his sleigh as he travels around the globe.

AT&T U-verse TV also has a new ?Happy Holiday Movies? section in the On Demand library featuring classic holiday movies.

The movies range from $2 to $7 per rental, and are available in Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD) or both.

From Dec. 14 through Dec. 20, U-verse TV customers can get $1 off their rental of ?Nothing Like the Holidays? by entering coupon code ?15001? for SD and ?115001? for HD in the Offers On Demand app on channel 199.

For details on how to keep up with Santa this holiday, tips and deals on gifts that do not come from the North Pole and ways to personalize the wireless experience, AT&T has launched a Web portal at http://www.att.com/holidaygifts.

?This is a program we think will have broad appeal, but likely will be of primary interest to parents with children who believe in Santa Claus,? Ms. Bridges said.