Geeks with kids — especially if you’ve ever watched the film, “War Games” — will appreciate this bit of digital whimsy:

Rudolph’s nose gives off an infrared signal similar to a missile launch, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. This is what allows the military organization to track Santa’s journey through the sky with the same satellites it uses to track threats in Canadian and United States air space.

Monitor Santa’s departure from the North Pole on Christmas Eve at www.noradsanta.org or speak to a live NORAD Santa Tracker at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado by calling 1-877-Hi-NORAD.

And Google Earth has a Toy Hunt and Santa Tracker.

And have a happy holiday whatever you celebrate.