Exchanging Letters with Santa

Why do Children Write the Letters?

The timeless tradition of exchanging letters with Santa began many years ago. Children write to Santa to let him know what their wish list is and to assert that they have been “very good” all year.

Choosing the Stationery

Letter writing is becoming a lost art, and few children write letters to anyone. Purchasing stationery from a store like ours here at MyExpression.com is the beginning of a magical experience for a child. There are many types of stationery that can be chosen form that will depict the personality of the child. If at all possible, have the child shop online with you and pick the stationery that he or she likes.

Writing the Letter

Hand written letters are becoming rare in today’s computer culture. Time has changed the method of letter writing, but the basic content remains the same. Boys often write a list of things that they want, with little regard to asking how Santa is doing, making small talk or writing whole sentences. Girls tend to be much more caring about Santa as a person, and will ask personal questions about himself and Mrs. Claus. Girls will also express needs of loved ones, before telling Santa what is on their wish list.

Sending the Letter

Traditions vary from country to country, regarding how the letter is sent to Santa. In Britain, children write the letters and put them into the fireplace to burn; hoping the smoke will carry the letter to Santa at the North Pole. In Latin American countries, children put their letters into helium balloons and release them into the air for Santa to magically catch. In many Western countries, letters are written and sent to Santa in care of the post office.

Children’s letters to Santa are a special memory of times of innocence and their childlike faith in the magic of Christmas. Each child will write, on average, no more than 5 letters to Santa during childhood. A wise parent will keep a hardcopy of the letter before sending it to Santa by whatever means the culture calls for. Years later, children will thank you for saving the letter.

Leaving Letters for Santa on Christmas Eve

In the US and Canada, children leave letters for Santa on an end table in the living room; along with some milk and cookies. Children in Britain and Australia do the same, leaving sherry and mince pies as a treat to eat while reading the letter. In Switzerland, children leave brownies for Santa to munch on while he reads.

Receiving Letters from Santa

Millions of volunteers, posing as Santa, write return letters to children postmarked from the North Pole. These letters are written in direct response and in correlation to the letters written by the child. Our site, MyExpression.com, offers stationery to all volunteers to write return letters on, including sheets with candy canes or pictures of Santa on them. Children shout with glee when they receive a letter from Santa, assuring them that they will not be forgotten on Christmas.