One of my favourite parts of being Santa Claus is reading the many wonderful letters that arrive here at Santa’s Village each year.
Long before telephones, the internet, or even the first postal service, the Elves realised we needed a way to communicate with our helpers around the world. And so, they created something rather remarkable…
The very first Post Office.
Each helper was given a magical postage stamp. When placed upon a letter and left by a chimney or open window, it would be carried to us by what the Elves call the Magic Postal Winds.
Even today, letters arrive in the same way — drifting down through a great open fireplace at the heart of the Post Office, where the Elves gather to collect, read, and carefully file each one.
I cannot say that I fully understand the workings of these winds, but I do know that each stamp sends a signal, allowing the letter to be found and guided safely to its destination. In many ways, I imagine it is not unlike the messages you send today — they simply know where to go.
As the years passed and more children learned to write, we were told that many wished to send letters of thanks, but did not know where to send them. So the magic was expanded, allowing any letter addressed to Santa Claus — or any of the many names I am known by — to find its way to us.
In years gone by, we would receive many such letters after Christmas.
It saddens me to say that this has become far less common.
Whilst nearly every child writes to ask for something, very few now write to say thank you. Not for my sake, for I see the joy that Christmas brings… but for the Elves and helpers around the world, who work tirelessly to make it all possible.
The joy of giving is reward enough, of course… but to be appreciated is something truly special.
It would bring great warmth to many hearts if, from time to time, a simple message of thanks found its way to the North Pole.
