A Letter from Santa: 10 Ways to Make It Feel Truly Magical

A letter from Santa is one of those Christmas moments children remember for years. The secret isn't fancy paper or a long message. It's the little details that make it feel like it really came from the North Pole. Here are 10 easy ways to make it magical.

1. Write to Santa first

A reply means so much more when they've written to him. Sit down together in late November or early December and write a letter to Santa. A vintage letter-writing set with proper envelopes and seals makes it feel official.

2. Mention something only Santa would know

If you add a personal note, include one small detail from the past year: learning to ride a bike, starting a new school, being kind to a little brother. That's what makes children's eyes go wide.

3. Write their name on the envelope in your best "elf" handwriting

Our Letter from Santa card comes with a bright red envelope with space to write their name. Use a gold or red pen, and try a curly style that doesn't look like yours.

4. Choose the moment it arrives

Some families leave it on the doormat a week before Christmas. Others save it for Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, propped against the empty mince pie plate. Morning is our favourite: it's proof Santa really did visit.

5. Leave a little evidence

A sprinkle of "snow" (a pinch of flour or icing sugar) on the envelope, a bite out of the carrot, a sooty boot print by the fireplace. Little clues make the letter part of a bigger story.

6. Add a Nice List certificate

Nothing says "Santa's been watching" like an official certificate. Our Nice List certificates come in a pack of 6, with space for their name, the date and Santa's signature, so there's enough for brothers, sisters and cousins.

7. Include a reason Santa could find them

No chimney? Mention the Santa's Magic Key in your note ("Thank you for leaving the key out, it worked perfectly!"). It answers the question before they ask it.

8. Keep it short

A few warm lines are better than a long page. Children want to hear that Santa is proud of them, that the reindeer are ready and that he'll see them soon.

9. Read it together

Even confident readers love having it read aloud. Do it in a cosy spot, ideally in matching Christmas pyjamas, with a hot chocolate.

10. Keep it safe

Store each year's letter in a personalised Christmas Eve box. Bringing them all out years later is a lovely tradition of its own.

Ideas for what Santa might say

• "Mrs Claus says your letter was the neatest she's seen all year."
• "Rudolph says thank you for the carrot. It was very crunchy."
• "The elves have checked my list twice, and you're definitely on the Nice List."
• "Keep being kind. I'll be watching for you again next year."

Get everything in one go

Our Christmas Eve Starter Set includes a Letter from Santa, 6 Nice List certificates, a Santa's Magic Key and a personalised wooden Christmas Eve box to keep them all in. For more ideas, see what to put in a Christmas Eve box.

When to order

UK delivery takes 5 to 7 days from ordering. Order by 15 December for UK delivery before Christmas. Delivery is free on UK orders over £50, and you can buy any 3 items to save 10%, any 4 to save 15% or any 5 to save 20%.