As the holidays get closer, it's time to bring out your holiday decorations, put up the Christmas tree, and put the final touches on your holiday shopping list. It's also a good time to send a letter to Santa! But what's the best way to reach the North Pole? And when should you send the letter to be sure that your child's message arrives just in time?
No worries -- I've found all of the best methods for contacting the jolly ol' elf himself. From mail, chat, phone call, apps and everything in between, you can choose the best method (and deadline) for your family. And you get to create Christmas memories that will last forever!
Contacting Santa can also be an educational opportunity to practice penmanship, drawing, goal setting, planning, deadlines, learning about addresses and stamps, mail delivery times, and telecommunications around the world.
This simple tradition is full of hope and faith, sealed with love, and represents the pure innocence of childhood! Even as my kids get older, they love to write mail which keeps the spirit of Christmas alive in their hearts as long as possible. Now, on to the list!
In Person |
Local Santa sightings in Elberton and Hartwell, GA... also, check at these local events. All events are free unless otherwise noted. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Dec 3 - Elberton Christmas Parade. We love and appreciate when Santa takes time out of his busy schedule to participate in our annual Christmas parade. This year's parade will be Sunday, December 3rd at 4:00pm along Elbert St. Look for Santa riding the firetruck at the very end of the parade! And don't forget to wave! | More Info
Dec 6 - Elberton First United Methodist Church. | 5:30 pm Dinner | Pictures with Santa
Dec 8 - Bowman Mistletoe Market. Downtown Bowman, GA | 6-8 pm | Caroling, vendors & Santa
Dec 8 - Cookies with Santa. H&R Block, 320 Elbert St. | 4-7 pm | Hot chocolate, cookies & pictures with Santa
Dec 9 - Pancakes & Pajamas with Santa. BeBop's Bakery - Royston, GA | More Info
Dec 9 - Cookies with Santa. Deer Creek Retreat - Bowman, GA | More Info
Dec 9 - Walmart Elberton. | 2-5 pm
Dec 10 - Brunch with Santa. Blue Cielo Farm - Elberton | 11:30 am (SOLD OUT) & 1 pm ($25/buffet) | More Info
Dec 20 - Salvation Army Elberton. | 2 pm
Dec 23 - Walmart Elberton. | 11 am - 2 pm
Other Fun Stuff. Santa has been seen at other mysterious locations around Elbert County each year. This includes Christmas at Lunsford Farms (select nights), church events, and more. I also heard that the Grinch is coming for a photo opportunity at Home Sweet Home on Dec 5th 5:00-7:30pm.
and if you're in Hartwell...
Grinch Brunch - HYDRA of Hart Co. is hosting a FREE event for the whole community in Hartwell. Grinch pictures and pancakes along with face painting, ornament decorating, & a Who Hair station! Saturday, Dec 2nd, 2023
Common Ground Hartwell. Join Santa for cookies, and hot cocoa plus crafts, cookie decorating, photo ops, and book reading. December 9th, 2023 1:00-5:00pm
Mail & Post Office |
Cheap and easy, good old-fashion pen and paper can bring joy to your family this holiday season!
Elberton Santa's Mailbox. Attention, Boys and Girls of Elberton! Santa has left a very special mailbox inside the lobby of The Samuel Elbert Hotel right here in Elberton, Georgia. Simply write a letter to Santa Claus and drop it off BEFORE December 16th. Parents, be sure to include the child's letter, name, and return mailing address because Santa will reply to all letters. How exciting! Location: 4 S Public Square, Elberton, GA 30635
Hartwell Santa's Mailbox. Last time I went to Hartwell, I noticed several red mailboxes in the downtown square. These mailboxes are easily accessible for children to drop off their special letters to Santa. Location: Downtown Hartwell
USPS Greetings from the North Pole Post Office. This program is made possible by the United States Post Office. It takes a bit of effort on your part but the result is highly personalized and comes with an official North Pole Postmark! If you want to send a letter through the USPS, follow the instructions below but don't wait much longer. It's recommended you send your letters by December 10th and the elves at the Post Office will take care of the rest.
- Have the child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to "Santa Claus, North Pole"
- Write a personalized response to the child's letter from Santa. Need a Santa letter template? Visit LetterfromSanta.org.
- Insert both letters into a self-addressed stamped envelope with your child's name and home address. Include the return address "SANTA, NORTH POLE", along with a First-Class Mail stamp on the letter.
- Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope, with appropriate postage, and address it to:
NORTH POLE POSTMARK
POSTMASTER
4141 POSTMARK DR
ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998 - Send your mail and wait patiently for your letter from Santa to arrive!
Santa Claus Museum Village. Here is another free Santa's letter program which has been available since 1914!
- Write a letter to Santa. Need a free template? Click here.
- Put your letter in an envelope with your return address, add your stamp and mail to:
SANTA CLAUS
PO BOX 1
SANTA CLAUS, IN 47579 - Every letter received by December 18, 2021 will receive a response from Santa and the elves... the earlier the better.
- This program is free with no return postage required. Donations are always appreciated and can be sent with letters, or mailed separately to the above address.
Macy's "Write a Letter" Program. You can deliver your child's letter to Santa at a Macy's department store near you or submit one online. Although your child won't receive a response, Macy's will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish foundation. The site also includes a Christmas countdown, printable activities for parents and educators, and a postcard template for your to use.
Santa Claus House. Here is one way to get a special gift from Santa directly from North Pole, Alaska. This site offers Santa's letter gift packages including a personalized letter from Santa, keepsake photo, sticker, Santa dollar, and more. You can even get a genuine deed for 1 square inch of the North Pole. Packages available starting at $9.95 to $14.95.
Pro Tip: Make a copy or take a picture of your child's letter before you send it. It will be a treasured memory for years to come.
Apps & Websites |
These options are perfect for last-minute messages to Santa using instant message and email to get instant gratification.
NORAD Tracks Santa. The North American Aerospace Defense Command has been tracking Santa's path for over 65 years! Come back to the site on Christmas Even to follow Santa as he makes his magical journey around the globe from the North Pole. From December 1 through December 24, visit the website for fun games, videos, music, and stories. Also available as an app for iOS and Android.
Macaroni KID Santa Letter. If you don't want to buy stamps or already missed the deadline for the programs above, you can use this magical letter generator to create a personalized letter and print your own letter from Santa at home or library. Simply use this form, answer the questions, input your email address, and your customized letter from Santa will be delivered to your email automatically. Then you can print out and use as you wish.
Print At Home Letter from Santa. Here's another option for a cutomized and personalized letter from Santa using a few simple questions and your printer.
Phone Call from Santa App. Did you know Santa has an app now? This free download is available for iPhone, iPad or Android phones. You can schedule a personalized phone call from Santa for your child with many templates to choose from. Please Note: I have not personally tested this app yet.
Message from Santa App. This app has a lot of fun features. You can get a video message from Santa, recieve a phone call, leave a voicemail, or send a text message. This is a free app available for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire and has in-app purchases for upgraded features. This app has excellent reviews, but I have not personally tested it yet.
Letters to Santa.
No email account or home address required! Simply fill out your child's first name and answer the question on-screen about this year's behavior and wishlist. When you hit submitting, you'll see an instant reply from Santa along with clipart. Then you can check and find your name on Santa's List.
Please Note: This website is very cute but the letter was not working properly during my test on my computer and phone. The reply had blanks and I cannot recommended without testing first.
EmailSanta.com. Children can get an instant reply or watch Santa read their letters on camera. They have to just fill in the missing words in the letter to Santa and submit. No personal information is required except for a first name.
Phone Call |
Santa is just a phone call away! Choose one of these options to reach the big guy by telephone!
951-262-3062 This phone number connects you directly to a high-quality recording from Santa and allows you to leave a message. Feel free to try it any time, any day. When I called the number, Santa's voice sounds so kind and the message was very sweet.
1-877-HI-NORAD On December 24th, you can call 1-877-446-6723 to talk to a real elf who is ready to answer any questions you may have about Santa or his journey across the globe! This free service is run by over 1,000 volunteers as part of NORAD's Track Santa Program. Wow! This is one I have to check out this year.
"Alexa, Call Santa." If you have an Amazon Echo Dot device or Amazon FreeTime at home, you can simply ask to call Santa. You'll get a message from elves, Jack Frost, and Santa with a variety of holiday themed messages and holiday jokes!
"Hey Google, Call Santa." Those with Google Assistant and Google Home can also contact Santa through their device. You'll hear a sing-a-long message from Santa Claus.
So what will you ask Santa this year? A list of toys you hope to get, a special wish for this year, or an example of a good deed that warmed your heart? If you need some inspiration, try these acts of kindness around the house and remind your family to look for Santas in our community who represent the spirit of giving.
Like this article? Macaroni KID Elberton is full of helpful seasonal information like this PLUS tons of local kid-friendly events on our calendar. Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on local family fun!
