What elements should a letter from Father Christmas include to make it special?

Ho, ho, ho! Since you’re here, you’re probably wondering what makes one letter from Father Christmas stay with a child for longer, whilst another is just another piece of paper. So let me let you in on a few secrets.

After all, I’ve been writing letters to children for… well, long enough to know that just a stamp, red paper and a signature from Santa Claus aren’t enough. Children are far more perceptive than adults sometimes realise. If a letter is to be truly special, it should make the young recipient think:

‘Santa really knows who I am!’ And that’s where all the magic begins.

Firstly: the child’s name. And not just on the envelope!

A special letter from Father Christmas should be addressed to a specific child. Including the child’s name in the greeting, the body of the letter or the closing makes the message personal, and the young recipient can truly feel that Father Christmas is writing to them specifically.

Secondly: a detail that Santa “shouldn’t” know

The most magic happens when the letter contains information which – in the child’s view – I could only have found out through my extraordinary ways.

A friend’s name, a favourite soft toy, their first time riding a bike, a love of dinosaurs or their latest achievement at nursery – details like these are priceless.

My elves have told me that you’re getting better and better at training. And suddenly the most important question arises: How does Father Christmas know that?!

Thirdly: something the child can be proud of

Let’s not focus solely on whether the child has been well-behaved. Over the course of the year, they may have learnt to swim, overcome a fear, helped their siblings, or persevered with activities that previously caused them difficulty. It’s worth Santa noticing this: I know learning to ride a bike wasn’t easy, but you didn’t give up. Well done!

A sentence like this can bring a child more joy than even the most ornate envelope.

Fourthly: a little bit of Santa’s world

You can’t leave out the details of what’s happening up North. The elves are wrapping presents, the reindeer are getting ready for the flight, and Rudolf takes his role as head of lighting very seriously. A small detail is enough: ‘As I write this letter to you, Rudolf is peering over my shoulder.’

Fifthly: presents – but with a touch of mystery

Of course, I know that presents are important. I receive quite a lot of correspondence on this subject.

However, the letter shouldn’t sound like an order confirmation: I’ve received the list. Delivery on 24 December. It’s better to mention that the elves are preparing surprises, the sack is slowly filling up, and Father Christmas remembers children’s dreams well. The rest? Let it remain a secret.

Sixthly: warm words instead of threats with the rod

I need to clarify something: I really don’t spend the whole year with a notebook, jotting down every instance of untidied-up building blocks and whingeing at dinner.

A good letter from Father Christmas should, above all, offer support and encouragement. Instead of threatening them with no presents, you can remind them that small acts of kindness have great power – helping someone, giving a sad person a hug, or simply saying ‘thank you’ – that, too, is part of the magic of Christmas.

Seventh: a little secret between Father Christmas and the child

You can also give the child a special task: leave a carrot for the reindeer, look out for the brightest star, or bake a gingerbread biscuit for an exceptionally hungry Father Christmas.

A secret like this means the child is no longer just the recipient of the letter – they become part of the Christmas story.

Eighth: age-appropriate language

A letter to a four-year-old should sound different from a message to a ten-year-old. Younger children will love simple sentences and magical stories, whilst older ones will appreciate humour, interesting facts and more subtle details.

The most important thing is that Father Christmas doesn’t sound like a bureaucrat. ‘I hereby inform you of the approaching festive season…’? No. If you ever receive a letter like that from me, be sure to report it to the elves.

Ninth: unique presentation

It’s not just the content that counts. The envelope, the paper, the illustrations, the signature and the festive details all make the message look like a real letter from the far North.

After all, the magic begins even before the first sentence is read – the moment a child spots their name on the envelope and cries out: Mum! Dad! It’s for me!

The most important thing? Emotions that last a long time

Years later, the child may not remember every sentence. But they will remember the emotions: the surprise that Father Christmas knows the name of their beloved dog, the laughter at the story about Rudolph, or the pride when they read about their own little-but-big success.

That’s why a special letter from Father Christmas should be personal, warm and full of details that allow the child, if only for a moment, to believe that they’ve truly become part of Father Christmas’s world.

And what if, after reading it, they run to the window to check if they can see the sleigh in the sky?

Well… then everything went according to plan.

With festive regards,

Father Christmas

P.S. Rudolf asked me to remind you about the carrot. Apparently, ‘for all the reindeer’. Of course.