What to write in a letter to Santa

Writing to Santa is one of those small Christmas traditions that children remember. It doesn't need to be long or perfect. The best letters sound like the child who wrote them. Here are a few gentle ideas to help them get started.

How to start the letter

"Dear Santa" is all anyone needs. After that, most children like to say who they are and how old they are, so Santa knows exactly who is writing. A friendly hello or a question about the North Pole makes a lovely, natural opening.

Here are three example opening lines your child could borrow or change:

• "Dear Santa, my name is Ella and I am 6. How are the reindeer?"
• "Dear Santa, it's Jack again. I hope it isn't too cold at the North Pole this year."
• "Dear Santa, I have been practising my writing so I could send you this letter all by myself."

What to include

There's no right or wrong, but these four things give a letter a nice shape:

• Their name. First name is plenty. Santa doesn't need an address or surname.
• Something kind they did this year. Helping a friend, being brave at the dentist, learning to ride a bike. It's a nice chance for them to feel proud of themselves.
• Their wishes. A few things they'd love for Christmas, written in their own words. Spelling doesn't matter at all.
• A question for Santa. What do the elves eat? Which reindeer is the fastest? Questions make the letter feel like a real conversation.

Tips for younger children who can't write yet

Little ones often have plenty to say but can't get it onto paper yet. That's absolutely fine. A grown-up can act as the scribe and write down exactly what they say, word for word. Try not to tidy it up, because the funny phrasing is part of the charm.

Drawings are welcome too. A picture of their favourite toy, the family pet or Rudolph can say just as much as a sentence. Keep the session short and stop while they're still enjoying it.

Tips for older children

Children of eight and over usually enjoy writing a bit more freely. Encourage them to tell Santa about their year: a new hobby, a school trip, a goal they reached. They might like to add a joke or ask Santa something a little cheeky. Older children can also think about others, such as a wish for a sibling or someone who's had a hard year.

If they're unsure whether Santa is real, writing the letter can still be a warm, fun thing to do together. Let them lead and keep it light.

Things to avoid

• Too long a list. A handful of wishes is easier to read and keeps the focus on the letter itself. Our letters allow up to eight items.
• Personal details. No surname, address, school or photo. Santa knows where to find them.
• Pressure to be perfect. Crossings out, wobbly letters and creative spelling are all part of it.

Want to see how it can look? Read our letter to Santa examples for ages 4 to 10, or head back to the Letters to Santa home page.