Newborn · keepsake
Baby's first Christmas letter from Santa
A baby's first Christmas letter from Santa isn't really for the baby — not yet. It's a keepsake: a letter addressed to your newborn, read aloud by you this year, and tucked away for them to read when they're older. Here's what to put in it, an example newborn letter from Santa, and how to make and print one at home.
Updated October 21, 2026
Who the letter is really for
Write it to the baby, but with three readers in mind: you, reading it aloud on their first Christmas; the family, who may want to hear it too; and your child years from now, finding it in a memory box. That changes what belongs in it. Instead of “something they did”, think “something that happened”: the day they arrived, their first smile, the first snow they saw, the nickname everyone uses.
What to include in a newborn letter from Santa
- Their full first name and, if you like, the date or year: “your very first Christmas, 2026”.
- A welcome. Santa noticing a new name on his list is the heart of the letter.
- One or two real details you'll want to remember: how small they were, their first giggle, the dog who guards their crib.
- A word about the family — older siblings, grandparents — so the letter records who was there.
- A wish for the year ahead, rather than a gift list or a “be good” message.
Example: a baby's first Christmas letter
For a fictional baby, Ada, born in the summer. Her parents noted that she “smiled for the first time at her big brother” and “loves being sung to”.
Dear Ada,
Welcome to your very first Christmas! When your name appeared on my list this year, the whole North Pole cheered. A brand-new name is my favorite thing to find.
My elves tell me your very first smile was for your big brother. What a wonderful way to begin. I hear you love being sung to, so I've asked the reindeer to hum a carol as we fly over your roof.
You won't remember this Christmas, so your family will remember it for you. One day you'll read this letter yourself, and I hope you know how loved you were from the very start.
With love,
Santa
Keepsake ideas
- Print on thicker or cream paper if you have it. Scale 100% so the margins stay even.
- Save the PDF too. A paper copy can get lost; a PDF in your photos or cloud storage won't.
- Add it to the baby book or a memory box with a photo from the day, and write the date on the back.
- Start a tradition. A letter each year, kept together, becomes a little record of your child growing up.
Making it with our letter maker
Our letter maker writes for children aged 4–6 or 7–9, so it has no baby setting — but it's still a quick way to get a nicely laid-out, printable letter. Choose 4–6 and the Warm & gentle tone, put a milestone (“was born in July”, “smiled for the first time”) in “something they did this year”, and let it draft. Then press edit and rewrite it for a newborn, using the example above as a guide. You can change every word.
The free letter uses the Simple Christmas design and prints with no watermark. For a keepsake look, the Woodland and Classic designs come with the Family Pack (up to three children, so older siblings get a letter too). For printing or saving a PDF from your phone, see the print guide. We don't mail anything; you print it yourself.
Next Christmas, when they're walking and pointing at reindeer, our toddler letter tips pick up where this leaves off.