Examples · wording ideas
What to write in a letter from Santa
The best letters from Santa all do the same thing: they show the child that Santa really noticed them. That means one or two true, specific details — not a long list of good behavior. Below are sample letters from Santa for four common situations, a set of wording ideas you can borrow, and how to turn them into a printable letter.
Updated October 21, 2026
A simple structure that works
- Greeting with their name.
- Something they did this year — the specific moment you want them to feel proud of.
- Something they love, tied to a little North Pole detail.
- A gentle encouragement for the year ahead.
- Sign-off, and an optional P.S. for a joke.
That's also how our letter maker asks for details: their name and age range, then optional fields for something they did, what they love and something to encourage.
Sample letters from Santa by situation
Each example is a short excerpt for a fictional child. Swap in your own details.
A new baby brother or sister
Dear Leo,
This was a big year in your house — your baby sister arrived! I heard you sing her a song when she was crying. Babies love big brothers who sing.
Being a big brother means there's someone who will look up to you for a very long time. And don't worry: there's always room on my list, and in your family's hearts, for both of you.
Moving to a new house
Dear Priya,
First things first: I have your new address. My reindeer found your new roof on the very first practice run, so there's nothing to worry about.
Moving is hard. You said goodbye to your old room and started at a new school, and I heard you already made a friend called Sam. That took real courage.
Learning to ride a bike
Dear Jonah,
The elves told me some exciting news: you learned to ride your bike without training wheels! They also told me you fell off quite a few times first — and got right back on every time. That's the part I'm proudest of.
Comet wants to know if you can ring your bell while you ride. He thinks it would sound like sleigh bells.
Kindness
Dear Isla,
Some of the things I notice most aren't big or loud. Like the day you saw a new girl eating lunch on her own and went to sit with her. You didn't do it for a reward. You did it because it was kind.
The world needs more people like that. Keep being the one who notices.
Santa letter wording ideas
Mix and match these phrases. Fill in the gaps with something true about your child.
Openings
- “Ho ho ho! I've been hearing wonderful things about you.”
- “The elves brought me some news about you this year, and I had to write.”
- “I'm writing from my desk at the North Pole, with a mug of cocoa and your name at the top of my list.”
Praise that sounds real
- “I noticed how hard you worked at…”
- “It takes courage to…, and you did it.”
- “That was a kind thing to do, even when nobody asked you to.”
- “You kept trying, even when it was difficult.”
Encouragement
- “Next year, I'd love to see you…”
- “Keep being the kind of friend who…”
- “I know … feels hard right now. I believe you can do it.”
North Pole details
- “Rudolph has been practicing his landings.”
- “Mrs. Claus baked a batch of cookies just for the long flight.”
- “One of the elves fell asleep in the wrapping-paper pile again.”
Sign-offs
- “With love from the North Pole,”
- “Your friend,”
- “Merry Christmas, and keep shining,”
What to leave out
Threats (“or you'll get coal”), comparisons with siblings, and promises of a particular gift unless it really is wrapped and waiting. Keep it about who your child is, not what they'll get.
Turn it into a printable letter
Type your details into the letter maker and it drafts a letter in this structure; you can then edit any word, or paste in your own wording. The free printable letter is one child on the Simple Christmas design with no watermark. For siblings and more designs, browse the Santa letter templates or the Family Pack. Then follow the print guide for A4 or US Letter. You print it at home — we don't mail letters.
Writing for a particular age? See our tips for toddlers, a baby's first Christmas, and older kids.