How to write a letter to Santa: ideas and free printables to help you make memories this Christmas

Our free, printable templates for writing a letter to Santa lay fanned out on a mint green surface, surrounded by wrapped Christmas presents and a paper chain made out of wrapping paper.

Christmas is swiftly approaching as little ones anticipate the most wonderful time of year. They know that the naughty or nice list is being checked twice and are already thinking of what to say in their letter to Santa. Whether it’s on their iPad or paper stuffed under their pillow, kids are making Christmas lists filled with their hearts’ desires.

As parents, you can make this time extra special by taking part in their holiday joy. Slowing down and capturing the moment will not only be a fun bonding experience, but also a lasting memory you and your kiddos will carry forever. These steps will help guide your child in writing the best letter the North Pole has ever seen! All you need is a few supplies and a little Christmas magic. Let’s get started!

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Step 1: Gather supplies  

Start the letter writing process with a few supplies that will help your child express their deepest creativity.

Our free, printable templates for writing a letter to Santa lay fanned out over a mint green surface; one of the templates features the childish scrawl of a little girl named Emma; scattered around the printed templates are a handful of crayons in different colors, a role of holiday postage stamps and an envelope addressed to Santa and decorated with a child's drawing of a Christmas tree.

Step 2: Start writing  

With all the excitement, it may be hard for your child to know what to write to Santa. These prompts will help your kid put his/her thoughts on paper.

 

Ideas for how to start your letter:

  • Ask Santa how he’s been and give him tips on keeping warm.
  • Ask Santa if he knows the Easter Bunny.
  • Share something that you’re proud of doing this year.
  • Maybe it’s time to come clean about some mischief you’ve caused this year.
  • Share any questions you have about elves.
  • Tell Santa about your family!

 

Ideas for how to ask for gifts:

  • Thank Santa for the gifts he gave you last year.
  • Let Santa know how much you’ll cherish the gifts you’re asking for this year. What would you do with them?
  • Which gift do you want the most and why?
  • What would you like Santa to give to your mom or dad? Or to a younger sibling who can’t write yet?
  • Which of your friends deserve to be on the nice list and receive every gift they’re asking Santa for?
  • What would your pet(s) like for Christmas?

 

Ideas for how to end your letter:

  • Ask Santa what’s his favorite thing about the holidays.
  • Ask Santa if he has a favorite elf or reindeer.
  • Ask about how toys are made.
  • Santa has been kind for hundreds of years. Ask for his top three tips on being a kind person.
  • Tell Santa why you love Christmas.
  • Tell Santa a knock-knock joke so he can see how funny you are.
  • Don’t forget to include your address so Santa can send you a letter as well!

 

Remember to write neatly and write big—Santa’s eyes aren’t what they used to be.

Parents, you can cosign your child’s letter with “I hereby verify that ____ has been very good this year.”

Step 3: Make the moment extra jolly  

Make this time even more meaningful and cozy by including a few (or all) of these fun activities:

Step 4: Decorate your letter to Santa…and the envelope, too!  

Now it’s time to get festive! See how many ideas your child can include in their decorating.

  • Cut out mini snowflakes and put them in the envelope.
  • Use origami paper to fold fun shapes to go with your letter.
  • Cut out pictures from magazines or wrapping paper and tape to the letter or envelope.
  • Add stickers—lots and lots of stickers!
  • Use old-fashioned envelope wax seals.
  • Add lyrics from your favorite Christmas carols.
  • Use glitter!!
  • Use a hole-puncher to create your own designs.
  • Include a drawing or a simple craft as a gift for Santa.
  • Use an ink pad and holiday-themed stampers.
  • Use fun Christmas stamps to mail your letter. Find some here!
  • Include fancy lettering on the envelope.We’ve got lots of tips and tricks.
  • Give Santa your favorite Christmas treat recipe on decorative paper.
  • Draw a North Pole scene on the envelope.

Step 5: Send your letter to Santa  

Once your letter is written and your envelope is decorated, you’re ready to mail it to the North Pole!

Option 1: Follow these steps provided by USPS for your child to receive a reply from Santa postmarked from the North Pole!

Due to the elves’ busy schedule, the recommended time to send your child’s letter is between November 23–December 1. Once your child receives a reply from Santa, they can share their letter on social media with the hashtag #USPSNorthPolePostmark.

Option 2: Send your child’s letter through the Operation Santa program. This program allows volunteers to buy gifts for kids whose families may need some extra help during the holidays. You can find instructions here. The letter submission deadline will be posted to the site soon!

Option 3: Or if you prefer, you and your child can buy or create your own magic mailbox for your home that will send the letter directly to Santa without using the post office. His response will “magically” appear in the mailbox a few weeks later. 😉

Step 6: How to respond to your child’s letter as Santa  

Here’s where you get to be creative and get into the jolly spirit! These examples will help you channel your inner Santa.

Some fun phrases to consider:

  • “Greetings from the North Pole!”
  • “Hello-ho-ho! I’ve had my eye on you—because you’ve been extra good!”
  • “Wow! Your handwriting has really improved from last year. I can see you’ve been working hard at school!“
  • “Your mom/dad has been bragging on you, kid! She/he couldn’t be prouder of you and so am I.”
  • “Save one of my cookies just for you!”
  • “Say hi to (pet’s name)for me!”
  • “With all the dashing through the snow and soaring through the clouds, my reindeer will be happy to stop and rest on your roof.”
  • “You’re a great kid, (name). Keep up the good work!”
  • “Ho, ho, ho, I know you’ve been good this year. Except for that one thing. You know what you did. I’ll give you a pass this time, though. Merry Christmas!”
  • “I have to say, you almost made it to the naughty list, but your grandma/grandpa put in a good word for you. Better give them a big ol’ hug!”
  • “Those milk and cookies you put out last year were delicious! What a kind thing to do. I knew you were on the nice list for a reason.”
  • “Always remember that being kind is a true measurement of strength.”
  • “I saw your report card, Buddy. Great job!”
  • “My elves are quite fond of you!”
  • “The elves put a little extra Christmas magic in your toys.”
  • “Rudolph always loves stopping by your house!”
  • “First, you must answer me these riddles three.”
  • “I get a lot of letters every year, but yours is one of my favorite ones because…”

 

Other ideas for responses and Christmas Eve magic:

  • If your kid is going to recognize your handwriting, get a relative or friend to handwrite Santa’s reply or choose a fun font to print.
  • Include a small chocolate or candy cane.
  • Have Santa’s letter delivered to your front step in a small stocking with candy in it.
  • Get a hoof-print stamp so the reply can be “signed” by a reindeer.
  • Have Santa’s reply come in an airmail envelope.
  • Add a small pre-Christmas gift if your kid’s been extra good.
  • Have Santa praise some very specific nice things your child did this year (so they can be amazed that Santa really was watching).
  • Include an “I’ve been a nice kid” sticker for the kid to wear.
  • Include an earlier photo of your kid with Santa and say you found it in your Nice List photo album.
  • Make Santa’s footprints out of flour, so it looks like he left his snowy boot print on Christmas Eve.
  • Frame the letter or put it in a photo album to add to each year.

We hope these ideas for writing a letter to Santa will spark some holiday joy for your family and help create memories that you’ll cherish for years to come! May your Christmas be merry and bright!

 

Looking for a few more ways to make your kids’ Christmas season a little more memorable or magical? We have lots!