What to Write in a Letter from Santa (with Examples by Age)

A letter from Santa should tell your child they made the Nice List, mention two or three real things they did this year, answer what they asked for without promising it, and end with a warm sign-off and a P.S. Four short paragraphs are enough. The personal details are what make a child believe Santa wrote it himself, so spend your time on those.

Below are the five parts of the letter in order, then example wording for toddlers, school-age kids, older kids and doubters, a letter for siblings, short notes for tags and cards, and ways to deliver it.

1Open with a greeting and the Nice List news

The first lines tell the child the letter is for them and that the news is good. Use their name, and say where Santa is writing from.

• "Dear Maya, Ho, ho, ho! I'm writing from my workshop at the North Pole with some wonderful news: you're on my Nice List this year."
• "Dear Leo, the elves brought me your file this morning, and I read every page. I'm happy to say you've made the Nice List."

Keep the opening short. Younger children stop listening after a sentence or two, and older ones want to get to the part about them.

2Mention real things from this year

Pick two or three specific moments from the year. This paragraph matters more than anything else in the letter, because it shows Santa was really watching. Good details are ones only your family would know:

• A new skill: learning to swim, riding without training wheels, reading a first chapter book.
• A kind act: sharing with a new classmate, helping with a baby sibling, looking after a sick pet.
• A brave moment: the first day at a new school, a trip to the dentist, a move to a new house.
• Something funny: the dog that ate a sock, the tooth that fell out in a sandwich.

Write the details the way Santa would hear them: "Mrs. Claus told me..." or "Dasher saw you from the sky when...". One sentence each is enough.

3Answer their letter or wish list

If your child wrote to Santa first, the reply should show he read it. Mention one thing from their letter, a question they asked or a toy on the list.

Be careful with promises. "My elves are working hard in the workshop" and "I have a feeling something special may be under the tree" are safe. "You'll get the bike" is a problem if the bike doesn't come. If the big wish is out of reach, Santa can say a few things on lists are too big for the sleigh this year.

If your child asked a question, like how the reindeer fly or whether Santa likes cookies, answer it, because kids look for the answer.

4Add a North Pole detail

A line or two about life at the North Pole makes the letter feel like it came from somewhere real. Pick one or two:

• The weather: "It snowed so much yesterday that the elves had to dig out the workshop door."
• The reindeer: "Comet has been practicing takeoffs, and Cupid keeps eating the carrots meant for the others."
• The elves: "An elf named Tinsel is in charge of wrapping this year, and she has already used 400 rolls of paper."
• Mrs. Claus: "She's baking gingerbread and says to leave the crusts on the milk-and-cookie plate for her."

Keep the made-up names your own. Characters from films and books belong to someone else.

5Close with encouragement, a sign-off and a P.S.

End with one thing to keep working on, phrased kindly, and a reminder for Christmas Eve.

• "Keep being kind to your little brother, and don't forget a carrot for the reindeer."
• Sign-off: "With love and a sleigh full of Christmas cheer," or "Your friend at the North Pole," then "Santa".
• P.S.: "Mrs. Claus says hello," "The elves want to know your favorite cookie," or "Look out the window at midnight. You might see a red light."

Kids often read the P.S. first. Put something fun there.

Our editable letter from Santa follows the same order: greeting, four paragraphs, sign-off, Santa's signature and a P.S., all written by you online, on a North Pole letterhead with a stamp and postmark. A record box at the top shows your child's name, age, hometown and Nice List status, and the second page is a Nice List certificate with three good traits rated in stars.

What to write in a letter from Santa at each age

The same five parts work at every age. What changes is the length and how much magic you lay on.

Toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2 to 4)

Keep it to five or six short sentences, because you'll be reading it aloud.

"Dear Noah, Ho, ho, ho! You are on my Nice List! I saw you share your blocks with your cousin. I saw you try peas, too. The reindeer are resting for the big night. Leave a carrot for them! Love, Santa. P.S. The elves say hi!"

Kids ages 5 to 8

This is the age for the full four paragraphs and plenty of detail. They'll read parts themselves and look closely at the handwriting and the stamp.

"Dear Maya, The elves brought me your file this morning, and I'm happy to say you've made the Nice List. Mrs. Claus was so proud to hear you learned to swim this summer, and that you helped Grandpa rake the leaves. I read your letter about the art set. The elves are busy in the workshop, and I have a feeling something special may be waiting. Keep being brave and kind, and please leave a carrot for Dasher. It's a long way from the North Pole. With love, Santa. P.S. Your drawing of the reindeer is pinned on my workshop wall."

Older kids (ages 9 to 12)

Older kids spot anything generic. Use more specific details and a little humor, and speak to them as someone who's growing up.

"Dear Sam, Being eleven is a busy job, and you've done it well. The elves report you finished your first 300-page book and stood up for a friend on the bus, which is the kind of thing that gets noticed up here. Your sister told me you help her with math homework. You're a good big brother. I'll leave the details of your list to the elves, but they seem cheerful. Merry Christmas, Santa. P.S. The reindeer vote you funniest human of the year for the snowman with the traffic cone hat."

A letter from Santa for a child who doesn't believe

For a child who is starting to doubt, a letter can go two ways, and you should know which one you want before you write.

To keep the magic a little longer, answer a doubt with a detail the child can't explain: something from their letter they told no one else, or a reply in handwriting that isn't yours (ask a relative to write it). There's no need for the letter to argue the case.

To tell the truth, many families use a letter that says Santa is the spirit of giving, that parents help him, and that the child is now old enough to help too. It thanks them for the years of believing and gives them a job, like filling a younger sibling's stocking or picking a gift for someone in need. It closes by asking them to keep the secret for the little ones. Give this letter in person, when you have time to talk.

A letter from Santa for siblings and a child who misbehaved

For two or more children, write one letter per child if you can. Kids compare, and the one with fewer details notices. If you do write one letter, give each child their own paragraph with their own detail, and address the envelope to all of them.

For a child who had a hard year, Santa can still put them on the Nice List. The letter mentions one real good thing, names the trouble gently ("the elves noticed some tough days with your sister") and ends with a small goal for December. Leave out threats about coal or the naughty list, which sour the whole letter.

The Nice List certificate and Santa key kit has a report card that grades eight behaviors with up to three stars and comments from the elves, handy when you want to show a child exactly what went well. It also has six certificate designs, including a Family one with room for six names, and a Pet one.

Short messages from Santa

For a gift tag, a note on the cookie plate or a card in a stocking, one or two sentences are enough:

1. "Thanks for the cookies! The chocolate chip ones were my favorite. Love, Santa"
2. "Dasher ate every bite of the carrot. See you next year!"
3. "You made the Nice List again. I'm proud of you. Santa"
4. "Sorry about the crumbs. The sleigh was in a hurry. S.C."
5. "The elves wrapped this one twice because it was so special."
6. "Keep being kind. I'm always watching the good things. Love, Santa"

Write them in a hand your child doesn't know, or in capitals, and leave a bit of flour "snow" on the plate.

Letter from Santa envelope and delivery ideas

• Address the envelope from "Santa Claus, North Pole" and to the child by full name. A Christmas stamp and a red or gold seal make it look official.
• Mail it to your own home so it arrives with the real post.
• Leave it by the plate of cookies on Christmas Eve so it's there in the morning.
• Roll it up and tie it with a ribbon, or tuck it into a Christmas Eve box.
• Have your family's Christmas elf deliver it on its last night. Our elf arrival ideas cover the elf's letters and goodbye.
• Send it with a Nice List certificate or a magic key for homes without a chimney.

Print the letter at actual size (100%) on cream or ivory paper, and it looks older. If your printer gives you trouble, see how to print printables.