What to write in a letter from Santa

4 November 2026

A letter from Santa should be warm, short and personal: use the child's name, mention two or three real things from their year, praise something specific they have done, answer any question they asked, and add a small North Pole detail such as news of the reindeer. Avoid promising particular presents, and sign off with a flourish.

What makes a letter from Santa believable?

Children are sharp readers. A generic "Dear child, you have been good" letter is forgotten by Boxing Day, but a letter that knows they learned to ride a bike in May, or that they were kind to a new girl at school, can be talked about for years. The secret is specific detail that only someone watching closely would know.

• Their name, used more than once, and the name they are actually called – "Izzy", not "Isabella", if that is what everyone says.
• Real achievements from this year: a swimming badge, a first lost tooth, starting Reception, being brave at the dentist.
• Something kind they did, because Santa notices kindness more than anything else.
• Family details: a new sibling, a pet's name, a house move, a grandparent they visit.
• Answers to their questions if they wrote to Santa first. Nothing proves a letter was read like a reply to the exact question.

What to include, paragraph by paragraph

1. The opening. A cheerful greeting and a hint of where Santa is: "Dear Oliver, it is snowing hard here at the North Pole as I write this…"
2. What Santa has noticed. Two or three specific things from the year, with real praise. Focus on effort and kindness rather than just "being good".
3. North Pole news. A line about the reindeer practising for the big night, the elves in the workshop, or Mrs Claus's baking. Our page on Santa's reindeer names has a name for every reindeer.
4. A gentle encouragement. One thing to keep working on, phrased kindly: "I know you are trying hard to share with your little sister. Keep going – I can see it."
5. Christmas Eve. A reminder to go to sleep early, or a mention of the mince pie and the carrot for Rudolph.
6. The sign-off. "With love and a jolly ho ho ho, Santa", perhaps with a postscript from an elf.

Phrases you can use

Openings

• "I have just finished reading your letter by the fire, and I wanted to write back straight away."
• "The elves told me you have had a very busy year, so I thought I had better write."
• "Greetings from a very snowy North Pole!"

Praise that feels real

• "I saw how brave you were on your first day at your new school."
• "Mrs Claus was very impressed with how you helped Grandma in the garden."
• "Learning to read all by yourself is a big thing, and I am proud of you."

North Pole details

• "Dasher and Dancer have been racing each other round the stables every morning."
• "One of the elves painted a toy train bright purple by mistake. We have decided we like it."
• "Rudolph's nose is shining nicely, which is just as well because the forecast is foggy."

Sign-offs

• "Until Christmas Eve, Love, Santa"
• "Your friend at the North Pole, Father Christmas"
• "P.S. Rudolph says hello. P.P.S. Please leave the carrot unpeeled – he likes them crunchy."

An example letter from Santa

Adapting the letter for different ages

Under fives

Keep it to a few short sentences and big, clear words. Mention their name, one thing they did, and the reindeer. Read it aloud together and point to their name.

Five to seven

This is the peak age for Santa letters. Use the full structure, include their questions and keep the language simple enough for them to read some of it themselves.

Eight and over

Older children may be starting to wonder. A letter can be a little more grown-up and reflective – praising things like resilience, friendship or helping younger siblings – without overselling the magic. Our pages on keeping the magic of Santa alive and telling your child the truth about Santa may help.

What to avoid

• Promising particular presents. If plans change, a broken promise from Santa is hard to explain.
• Threats. "You'd better be good or else" takes the warmth out of it. Santa's letter should feel like a hug.
• Comparisons with siblings. Every child should feel they have Santa's full attention.
• Your own handwriting, if they know it well. A different pen, a printed letter or a grown-up friend's handwriting is safer.

Presentation ideas

Parchment-style or cream paper, a red or gold wax-style seal, a sprinkle of glitter "snow" in the envelope, and a postmark-style stamp all add to the effect. Some families add a certificate for being on the Nice List – see the Nice List explained. Keep every letter: tucked into a folder each year, they become a lovely record of growing up, and our guide to keepsake letters for children has ideas for storing them.