Dear Children ... please write to Santa in plenty of time this year

Writing a letter to Santa is a Christmas tradition upheld by the Royal Mail

With only eight weeks to go until Christmas, Royal Mail is once again lending a helping hand to one of its most special customers – Father Christmas.

And while Santa is happy to receive thousands of cards and letters, his little helpers at the Royal Mail are asking children to write by no later than December 6.

The Royal Mail has been managing Santa’s mailbag since 1963 and Alex McConnell, Royal Mail Chief Elf, has the important task of ensuring children’s letters reach the North Pole.

He said: “Royal Mail plays a special part at Christmas. We are proud that for over 50 years Santa has allowed us to help manage the thousands and thousands of special letters he receives from boys and girls across the UK.

“His special team of elves at Royal Mail enjoy taking a peek at what children are asking for, and helping Santa reply to these special letters.

“Remember to include your full name and address on your letter so Santa can reply to you!”

Over the last 50 years, Father Christmas’s team of Royal Mail elves, who manage Santa’s mailbag, found amongst all the glitter that along with toys, children also make a range of touching and heart-warming requests.

In 1963, Dorethea aged 9 from Edinburgh, wrote: “I would very much like a carpet sweeper, a book about ballet and perhaps a game.”

In 1964, Geoffrey aged 8 from Essex wrote: “Father Christmas, please do your best to make it a nice Christmas for all the old people and poor children. The postal order with this letter is for you to give to the United Nations children’s fund.”

Last year Leah, aged 4 from Stoke-on-Trent, wrote: “This year for Christmas I would like, a wooden kitchen, a new leg for Auntie Becky and a dolly’s twin buggy.”

Meanwhile, Scarlett from Manchester wrote: “Dear Mr Santa, I would like my presents to go to a children’s ward.”

Santa responds to as many letters as possible, in between getting the sleigh ready for Christmas Eve.

Make sure Santa gets your letter

To ensure Santa receives your letter on time, please make sure you write to him using the correct address on a stamped envelope.

Santa/Father Christmas,

Santa’s Grotto,

Reindeerland,

XM4 5HQ

Don’t forget Santa needs to know your full name and address to reply.