Writing Letters to Santa Claus: A Historical and Cultural Practice

By Andy Zimmer

For many children, writing a letter to Santa Claus is one of the earliest experiences they have with intentional writing. It blends imagination with communication, belief with ritual, and storytelling with real-world action. While it often feels timeless, the tradition of writing letters to Santa is a relatively modern practice shaped by literacy, culture, and changing ideas about childhood.

Understanding where this tradition comes from reveals how deeply it is connected to education, family life, and the evolution of winter celebrations.

Early Roots: Saint Nicholas and Written Requests

The figure we now know as Santa Claus originates from Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century Christian bishop known for acts of generosity, particularly toward children and the poor. Early legends surrounding Saint Nicholas focused on secret gift-giving, but these acts were never tied to written correspondence. The exchange was symbolic and communal, not personal or literary.

In medieval Europe, children did not write letters to Saint Nicholas. Instead, gift-giving traditions were tied to feast days, oral storytelling, and religious instruction. Literacy was limited, especially among children, and writing itself was a skill reserved for clergy, scholars, and merchants. Communication with sacred or folkloric figures happened through prayer or ritual, not letters.

The Rise of Literacy and Childhood as a Concept

The practice of writing letters to Santa began to take shape much later, alongside two major social shifts: increased childhood literacy and the emergence of childhood as a protected developmental stage.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, literacy rates in Europe and North America were rising due to formal schooling and the spread of print culture. At the same time, cultural attitudes toward children were changing. Childhood began to be viewed not simply as preparation for adulthood, but as a unique phase deserving of imagination, play, and emotional care.

This shift created space for traditions that encouraged children to write creatively and express desires, hopes, and moral reflection—often guided by adults.

Santa Claus and the 19th Century Letter Tradition

The modern image of Santa Claus solidified in the 19th century through poetry, illustrations, and popular literature. Clement Clarke Moore’s A Visit from St. Nicholas (1823) and later illustrations by Thomas Nast helped standardize Santa’s personality as approachable, observant, and benevolent.

As Santa became a more personalized figure, children were encouraged to communicate with him directly. Writing letters served several purposes at once:

• It gave children a reason to practice writing

• It reinforced behavioral expectations through reflection

• It allowed families to participate in a shared seasonal ritual

By the late 19th century, newspapers in the United States regularly published children’s letters to Santa, reinforcing the practice as both a cultural and literary tradition.

Postal Systems and Public Participation

The expansion of national postal systems made letter writing feel official and meaningful. Children could address an envelope, send it away, and believe it reached a real destination. In some cases, postal workers and volunteers responded, reinforcing the idea that writing had real-world impact.

This interaction transformed letter writing into an early lesson in communication: messages could travel, be received, and sometimes answered. For many children, a letter to Santa was their first experience writing for an audience beyond their household.

Educational Value Beyond the Holiday

Although the tradition is playful, it has long been recognized for its educational value. Writing letters to Santa encourages:

• Narrative structure and sequencing

• Expressive language and tone

• Reflection on behavior and gratitude

• Awareness of audience and purpose

Educators have historically used seasonal letter-writing as a tool to engage young writers, not because of the myth itself, but because it motivates participation and creativity.

A Tradition That Continues to Evolve

In the digital age, letters to Santa exist in many forms—emails, online portals, and printable templates—but the underlying purpose remains the same. Children are invited to imagine, articulate, and communicate through writing.

What makes the tradition enduring is not belief alone, but participation. Writing to Santa allows children to engage with storytelling, literacy, and cultural ritual at the same time.

Conclusion

Writing letters to Santa is more than a charming seasonal activity. It reflects historical changes in literacy, education, and how society understands childhood. Rooted in evolving traditions rather than ancient practice, it demonstrates how storytelling, learning, and ritual can intersect in meaningful ways.

At its core, the tradition reminds us that writing is not just an academic skill—it is a way to connect imagination to the world.

Works Cited

Ariès, P. (1962). Centuries of childhood: A social history of family life. Vintage Books.

Bowler, G. (2017). Santa Claus: A biography. McClelland & Stewart.

Moore, C. C. (1823). A visit from St. Nicholas. Troy Sentinel.

Nissenbaum, S. (1996). The battle for Christmas. Vintage Books.

Postman, N. (1994). The disappearance of childhood. Vintage Books.

United States Postal Service. (n.d.). Letters to Santa and the history of holiday mail. USPS Historical Archives.