Another holiday season has rolled around and the time to write letters to Santa Claus has arrived. When I was growing up, I remember having to write a letter to Santa to place under my pillow 11 days before Christmas, or maybe it was 21 days. After all, Santa needs time to make wishes come true. However, with the advance of technology, children of the present day can have their pick of snail mail or email, traditional response times or instant gratification.
Either way, in my eyes, there is a bigger picture and important message to this simple tradition. A letter to Santa is a representation of words, from a child, filled with hope and faith, sealed in an envelope by love. To each his own, I say. As for me, I will continue keeping the magic alive for my girls as long as they believe. I will still teach them the meaning of Christmas through acts of kindness and remind them of the every day Santa Clauses who walk our streets of life, giving generously.
Snail Mail
Sending a physical letter to Santa can be one of the most exciting things kids will do this Christmas season. Do you know what is even more exciting? Receiving a reply from the Big Man himself. Some of the following places send replies!
United States Postal Service (USPS)
Follow the instructions here and use the tips given! Letters must be received by the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than December 15. Santa's helpers will take care of the rest. The cost is a first-class mail stamp.
Additionally, some post offices have staff to respond to letters received locally at their locations; double-check before sending letters to your local post office location. Then simply address the letter to Santa and be sure to include your return address before mailing to your local branch.
Santa Claus Museum Village
Every letter to Santa received by December 20th will receive a letter back from Santa Claus himself! The earlier you can send in your letter, the better. To help pay for postage, donations are greatly appreciated.
In Person
Here are some local places around our area that are collecting letters to send to Santa. Know of others? Email us the details!
Observer News Enterprise
(Newton)
Starting December the 3rd you can drop off letters to Santa at the Observer News Enterprise at 309 N College Ave in Newton between 8:30am and 5pm. When you do, be sure to pick up the snack that Santa left for you. If you need to mail them in, please send them to PO Box 48, Newton NC 28658. All letters must be received by December 10th. Some of the letters may appear in the paper's Letters to Santa special edition on December 20th.
Nailed It DIY Studio
(Hickory)
Kids can place their letters to Santa in the Magical Mailbox located outside of Nailed It DIY Studio at 107 Government Avenue in Hickory from November 17 - December 22, 2018. Come in to make an ornament (1 for $3 or 2 for $5) or to fill out the letter template available at the studio (no charge). There will not be a reply.
ChickFilA Viewmont
(Hickory)
Come to Chick-fil-A Viewmont Monday, December 3rd-Saturday, December 8th and let your children drop off their Letters to Santa! Make sure that you put a “return address” on the envelope so Santa can respond to your child!
Old Rock School (Valdese)
The Old Rock School in Valdese, NC has a Santa mailbox outside. If you put a return address, he has been known to write back.
Other Locations Throughout the Area
There's a mailbox outside of the Santa photo area at Valley Hills Mall. Know of others? Email us and we'll list them here!
Online
If your children are like me and would love interacting with Santa instantly, try some of the following websites:
Macy's "Write a Letter to Santa Claus"
Deliver your child's letter to Santa at a Macy's closest to you (or submit one online). For every letter that Macy's receives, they will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation up to $1,000,000. Also find holiday guides, stationery and a fun story on the website.
Letters to Santa
Kids just have to fill out their first names, how good they've been and what they would like for Christmas. Submitting this information returns an instant reply from Santa along with clipart. Your child can also check to see whether he or she is on Santa's list and play Santa's games!
Write a letter to Santa and receive an audio recording from him!
On the Elf on the Shelf website, you can submit your child's first name, your email address and a letter from your child to Santa to receive an audio reply from Kris Kringle in your inbox! The site also has fun facts, quizzes, games, and activities for the kids and resources for parents.
Emailsanta.com
Children can watch Santa read their letter on camera! They have to just fill in the missing words in the letter to Santa and submit. No personal information is required except for a first name!
Santa Claus House
The Santa Claus House offers packages for the original Santa Claus letter and the North Pole deed from a genuine North Pole postmark. The deadline for orders is December 5th.
Portable North Pole
Personalized video messages and calls from Santa for kids and grown-ups! In addition to free and premium options, PNP also offers a free app and free activities in Santa's Village. A portion of every sale is donated to the participating children's hospital closest to you.
Templates for letters TO Santa
Children are the most creative, however, if some inspiration is needed, the following sites provide some templates for letters to Santa. I will be using a template I created for my daughters this year.
20 Free Printable Letters to Santa
8 Free Letter to Santa Templates
Templates for letters FROM Santa
Revel in your children's joy and excitement when they receive a letter from Santa. Use these easy and fun templates to create the replies.
15 Free Printable Letter Templates from Santa
Letters from Santa
Letter From Santa Printable
Free Letters From Santa Claus
Tracking Santa
Kids love to track where Santa is at any given time. Norad Tracks Santa is a fun website for kids to follow Santa's movements.
Visit Santa
No Christmas is complete without a visit with Santa Claus. Browse our calendar to find tons of events where you can bring the kids to sit on St Nicks's lap. Also refer to our list of breakfasts with Santa, unique Santa experiences and local Christmas parades where you are sure to run into the jolly old elf.
Like this article? Macaroni Kid Hickory/Western Piedmont is full of useful local information like this PLUS tons of daily kid-friendly events on our event calendar and more ideas in our Holiday Family Fun Guide. Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter for 411 on local family fun!
