What to write in a letter from Santa
Every great letter from Santa has the same few parts. Use these as a checklist when you fill in the template or write your own:
- A North Pole letterhead so it looks like it came from far away.
- Their name in the greeting, spelled the way your child spells it.
- One or two true details from this year. Small and recent beats big and general.
- A nod to their list without promising a specific gift.
- A bit of North Pole news: a reindeer, the elves, Mrs. Claus or the weather.
- Encouragement to keep being kind, brave or patient.
- A warm sign-off and a P.S. Children love a P.S.
Ideas for personalizing: a tooth they lost, a new school or teacher, learning to swim or ride a bike, being brave at the doctor, a pet by name, a move to a new house, a sport or instrument they practice, a new baby in the family, or something kind they did for a friend. Pick two or three. For more, read how to make a letter from Santa feel real.
Sample letters from Santa
Copy any of these sample letters from Santa into the template or a document, then swap in your own child's name and details. They also work as a short note from Santa on a gift tag or under the cookie plate.
Dear Maya,
Ho ho ho! The elves have been keeping me up to date all year, and I have to tell you how proud I am. I heard you learned to ride your bike without training wheels, and that you helped your little brother put on his boots every morning. That is exactly the kind of kindness I love to see.
Your list is right here on my desk. Keep being brave and kind, and get plenty of sleep before the big night.
Love, Santa
P.S. Dasher says hello!
Dear Harper,
Santa sent me all the way from the North Pole to help get your home ready for Christmas. I will be watching for kind hearts and helping hands, and I will send Santa a report every night.
Each morning, look for me somewhere new. I love a good game of hide and seek, and I am so happy to be here!
Your helper elf, Jingle
Naughty or nice wording that stays kind
Most families keep Santa's letter happy. If you want a gentle nudge, keep it about one thing, make it specific, and end with confidence in your child. Phrases that work:
- "I checked my list twice, and your name is right where it belongs."
- "The elves noticed bedtime has been a little tricky. I know you can do it."
- "Being kind to your sister even when it is hard is exactly what lands children on my nice list."
- "There are still a few weeks to show the elves your very best listening."
Avoid threats about no presents, comparisons with siblings, or anything that would make a child worry on Christmas Eve.
Dear Leo,
I check my list twice every December, and your name is on it. The elves did tell me bedtime has been a little tricky lately. I know you can do it, because I have seen how hard you try at soccer practice.
Let us make these last weeks before Christmas the best ones yet. I will be cheering for you from the North Pole.
Your friend, Santa
A letter from Santa for baby's first Christmas
A first Christmas letter is really a keepsake for later. Write it to the baby, mention one thing that is special about them right now (their giggle, their first snow, the name of a favorite toy), and add the year. Tuck it into a baby book or a memory box.
Dear little Ava,
Welcome to your very first Christmas! The whole North Pole has been waiting to meet you. Your family has been telling me about your giggles and the way you hold on to their fingers.
This year I am leaving something special for you, but the best gift is already yours: a family that loves you more than all the stars over the North Pole. Keep this letter, and someday you can read it yourself.
With love, Santa
When a new baby brother or sister arrives
A new sibling can make an older child wonder where they fit. A letter from Santa that celebrates their new role, names something helpful they have done, and reminds them there is plenty of love to go around can mean a lot.
Dear Noah,
I heard some wonderful news at the North Pole: you are a big brother now! The elves tell me you have been gentle with baby Lily and that you sing her songs when she cries. Being a big brother is one of the most important jobs there is.
Remember, there is always plenty of love to go around, and that includes yours. I am so proud of you.
Love, Santa
When a present is running late
Sold out, delayed or still on its way? A short letter from Santa turns a missing present into part of the story. Say the elves needed a little more time, thank your child for being patient, and keep the promise vague enough that it stays true.
Dear Sofia,
Merry Christmas! I have a small secret to share. One of your presents needed a little extra time in the workshop, so the elves are still putting the finishing touches on it. It is on its way, and I promise the wait will be worth it.
Thank you for being so patient. That is a very grown-up thing to do.
Merrily yours, Santa
A letter from Santa for Christmas morning
Leave it by the empty cookie plate or tucked into a stocking. A Christmas morning letter thanks your child for the snack, mentions a stop on Santa's route and says goodbye until next year. Keep it short; there are presents to open.
Dear Ethan,
Thank you for the cookies and the carrots! Rudolph ate every bite, and I may have had two cookies myself. Your house was one of my favorite stops of the night, and I could tell how hard you worked to be kind this year.
Have the merriest Christmas morning. I will see you next year.
Ho ho ho, Santa
P.S. Look out the window. I think we left a little snow on the roof.
Planning Christmas Eve? See our Christmas Eve gift guide
How to make your Santa letter look authentic
- Print on cream, ivory or lightly textured paper at 100% scale.
- Sign Santa's name in a hand your child will not recognize, in gold or red ink.
- Fill the blanks in the same pen so the letter looks written at one desk.
- Fold it in thirds and address the envelope with their first name, from the North Pole.
- Close it with a wax seal or a gold star sticker.
- Choose a calm moment to share it, and read it slowly together.
A letter from Santa in Spanish
For a bilingual family or a Spanish-speaking grandparent, here is a short carta de Santa you can copy into the template:
Querida Valentina:
Los duendes me contaron que este año aprendiste a leer tu primer libro y que ayudas a tu abuela en la cocina. ¡Estoy muy orgulloso de ti! Tengo tu lista aquí en mi escritorio.
Sigue siendo amable y valiente.
Con cariño, Santa
P.D. ¡Rodolfo te manda saludos!
Santa letter template questions
What are the common elements in a letter from Santa?
A good letter from Santa has a North Pole letterhead, the child's name in the greeting, one or two true details from this year, a mention of their list without promising a gift, a little North Pole news like a reindeer or the elves, a warm sign-off and a P.S. Our Santa letter template has a blank for each of these.
How do I make a Santa letter look authentic?
Print it on cream or lightly textured paper at 100% scale, sign it in a hand your child does not know, use gold or red ink for the signature, and fold it into an envelope addressed from the North Pole. A wax or sticker seal on the back makes opening it feel like an event.
What can I write in a letter from Santa to personalize it?
Pick small, recent details: a tooth they lost, a new school, learning to ride a bike, being brave at the doctor, a pet by name, a new baby in the family, or something kind they did for someone. Two or three true details feel more real than a long list.
How do I make Santa feel real to my child?
Keep the letter short and specific, use the name your child calls themselves, mention something only someone watching closely would know, and choose a calm moment to share it. Hearing Santa say their name helps too, which is why we also offer a free personalized video from Santa.
Is this Santa letter template free?
Yes. The printable Santa letter template, the blank Santa letterhead and the sample letters on this page are free to use at home. No sign-up is needed to print them.
Can I edit the template, or save it as a PDF or Word file?
Yes. Type into the blanks on this page and the letter fills in as you go. To save a PDF, press Print and choose Save as PDF. To use Word or Google Docs, copy any sample letter below into a document and add your own details. Nothing you type is sent to us or saved.
Should a letter from Santa mention the naughty list?
Gently, if at all. A kind nudge such as "the elves noticed bedtime has been tricky, and I know you can do it" works better than a warning. Most families keep the letter happy and save the naughty list for a wink.
Can Santa write the letter for me?
Yes. If you would rather not write it yourself, tell Santa a few happy things about your child and he writes them a personal letter, 100% free with no credit card and no obligation. It comes by email in minutes as a printable PDF.
Can I print a blank Santa letterhead?
Yes. In the template, choose Blank letterhead and press Print. You get the North Pole letterhead with Santa's name and writing lines, ready for your own handwritten note from Santa.
Do you have a free letter from Father Christmas?
Yes. Father Christmas letters work the same way: use the template, change the signature to Father Christmas, and print. The free personal letter is signed by Santa.