Did you know that every year, thousands of children in the UK write a letter to Santa Claus and receive a personalised reply from him?
This is a wonderful tradition that has been going on for more than 50 years, thanks to the Royal Mail and its dedicated team of elves.
It helps that Santa has lots of elves to help – and there’s no need to add a stamped address envelope.
Santa’s address is further down this article, along with tips on how to write your letter.
The deadline for sending letters is usually in early December, so check the Royal Mail website to make sure you don’t miss it!
You can also request that the reply is in Welsh!
Just a word of caution from the Christmas.co.uk team: Royal Mail doesn’t guarantee a reply, so it is advisable to post your letter to Santa as soon as possible.
Write a letter to Santa
But why does the Royal Mail do this? And why should parents encourage their children to write to Santa?
Well, there are many benefits of writing to Santa, both for the children and for the Royal Mail.
- For children, writing to Santa is a fun and creative way to express their wishes, hopes and dreams. It also helps them practice their literacy skills, such as spelling, grammar and handwriting. Writing to Santa can also boost their confidence and self-esteem, as they feel that someone cares about them and listens to them.
- For the Royal Mail, writing to Santa is a way to connect with the younger generation and to promote the joy of letter writing. The Royal Mail believes that letter writing is an important skill that should not be lost in the digital age. Letter writing can also foster positive relationships between people and create lasting memories.
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How did the tradition of writing to Santa start?
The tradition of writing letters to Santa, or Father Christmas, has an interesting history.
Initially, it was St Nicholas who would leave instructional letters for children in their stockings, telling them of their behaviour throughout the year.
This custom gradually evolved into children writing letters to Santa themselves.
And when Santa Claus came from America to England in the 1850s is when Father Christmas began adopting Santa’s attributes.
By the 1880s, there were new festive customs to enjoy with North Pole resident being known as both Father Christmas and Santa Claus – and the first evidence of a child writing letters to Father Christmas in Britain dates back to 1895.
The letters were addressed to the North Pole or ‘Snowland’, and often contained requests for toys, books or clothes, as well as promises of good behaviour.
Some children also wrote to Santa Claus, following the American influence.
One tradition in some households many years ago would see the children write their letter to Santa – which would then by thrown into the fireplace!
The letter would then float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole.
However, if the list caught fire first, the letter would have to be rewritten.
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So, who actually replies to the letters?
Well, it’s not Santa himself, of course. He’s far too busy making toys and preparing for his big night.
Instead, it’s a team of dutiful elf volunteers from the Royal Mail who take on the role of Santa’s elves.
They read every letter carefully and write back with personalised messages that match the tone and style of the original letter.
They also use special stationery and stamps that make the letters look authentic and magical.
The elves are also very careful to protect the privacy and security of the children who write to them. They never share or store any personal information, and they destroy all the letters after replying.
So, if you have a child who wants to write to Santa this year, why not help them do it? It’s a simple and fun way to make their Christmas more special and memorable.
And, who knows, maybe you’ll get a reply from Santa too!
Find out more below…
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Why do we write letters to Santa?
We love this video on YouTube that explains to young children why we write letters to Santa.
It’s only a short educational video from the Kids Ask Why channel, but it packs a lot in!
There’s a brief history and an explanation of where the letters go.
The elves feature heavily because they are the ones that reply!
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The Christmas.co.uk tips on how to write a letter to Santa
As the Christmas season approaches, children around the world eagerly prepare their letters to send off to the North Pole.
With Santa Claus and his team of elves hard at work, it’s crucial to ensure that your letter is both memorable and easy to read.
The secret to a successful letter to Santa begins with setting the right atmosphere.
You can begin by playing your favourite festive tunes and donning a much-loved Christmas jumper.
Contemplate your wish list carefully to avoid messy edits and gather appealing stationery and a comfortable pen to underline the importance of your message.
Layout
The layout of your letter plays a crucial role as well. Start by noting down your name and address in the top right corner – this will guide Santa straight to your doorstep. Initiate the letter with a warm ‘Dear Santa’. Remember, politeness is key in formal correspondence, especially when addressing someone as esteemed as Santa himself. Keep the introduction personal by mentioning your name, age, and the purpose of your letter. You could even inquire about the wellbeing of Santa and his industrious elves!
Wish list
The highlight of the letter, of course, is your Christmas wish list. List out your desired presents, ensuring you add enough details, so Santa knows exactly what to bring. Exhibiting thoughtfulness can make your letter stand out, so consider including gift requests for others who deserve a special treat.
Yours…
Wrap up your letter with a courteous ‘Yours sincerely’, followed by your name. Make your letter visually delightful with decorations, perhaps even illustrating a scene of Rudolph and his reindeer companions. After a final proofread by an adult, your flawless letter is ready for dispatch.
Send
In the UK, the Royal Mail serves as the bridge between children and Santa. To ensure your letter arrives safely in Santa’s hands, use the following address:
Santa/Father Christmas
Santa’s Grotto
Reindeerland
XM4 5HQ.
Remember to affix a stamp, and with the help of an adult, drop your letter into the nearest post box.
Now sit back, relish in the joy of Christmas anticipation, and wait for the magic to unfold.
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Peppa Pig writes to Father Christmas!
We loved this video called ‘Peppa Sends a Letter to Santa’ on the Peppa Pig Official Channel.
It is two hours long but it’s a cracking watch – and should distract the children!
We also liked the characters referring to Father Christmas rather than Santa Claus, which is the British traditional name.
From writing the letter, to the build up to Christmas Day, this is a great production.
Enjoy!
