ANSWERING LETTERS TO SANTA

The Christmas season is upon us once more, which means post offices are brimming with letters to Santa Claus from kids and grown-ups too. For the past 40 years, a special team of Santa’s elves at Hongkong Post has ensured each letter gets a personalised response.

Festive mail
Hongkong Post receives about 6,000 Christmas cards and letters addressed to Santa every year, sent from all corners of the globe.

A dedicated team of Santa’s helpers at the department read and reply to every letter. To ensure replies are sent in time, the team processes hundreds of letters every day.

Hongkong Post Superintendent of Posts Lau Ka-siu has been replying to the letters for Santa for more than a decade. Despite it being the busiest time of the year, he always looks forward to the festive season.

Mr Lau pointed out that children usually ask for similar gifts, such as toys or electronic gadgets for Christmas, but he has noticed more letters wishing for good health for their family since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personalised response
Hongkong Post Postal Officer Natalie Kwok joined Santa’s dedicated team of helpers in 2022. She observed that the children not only send their Christmas wishlist, but also share special news about their lives. One little girl told Santa that she was so excited this year as she was going to have a baby sister.

Ms Kwok also discovered that some parents turn the letter-writing into a fun family activity. Some children even draw their own Christmas cards or include artwork in the letter, so she returns the gesture by also sending a drawing in the replies.

If you would like to receive your own festive greeting from Father Christmas, just send your letter addressed “To Santa Claus” on the envelope with your name and return address clearly written on the back, affix sufficient postage to it and enjoy a very merry Christmas!

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