It’s that time of year again! The time when children all over the world put pen to paper and write a letter to the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus. If you’re a teacher tasked with helping your students write their letters to Santa, never fear! I’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you make sure every one of your students’ letters is picture-perfect. Read on for everything you need to know about how to write the perfect letter to Santa.
If you want a ready-made resource to help teach Letter Writing to Santa, you can get it here.
The Basics of a Letter to Santa
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to actually write the letter, let’s quickly go over some of the basics. A letter to Santa should be handwritten, not typed. It should be addressed to “Santa Claus, North Pole” and include the child’s full name and age. And finally, it should be signed by the child. With those basics out of the way, let’s move on to the fun part: what to say in the letter!
In addition, letter writing to Santa should be an enjoyable memory for years. So, I’d suggest making sure your students/child has had some previous experience before writing to the big guy.
May I also suggest using my Friendly Letter Writing Unit as a foundation for teaching all the skills needed to send out a letter? Yes, good. You’ll be thanking me later.
What To Include In Your Letter
When it comes down to it, there are only two things essential for a letter to Santa: what you want for Christmas and why you deserve it. Of course, there are all sorts of other things you can include as well, such as letting Santa know whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year or asking him how he is doing. But if you want to keep things simple (and who doesn’t at Christmastime?), stick with those two basics.
What to Ask for in Your Letter to Santa
As for what you want for Christmas… well, that’s entirely up to you! Some kids like to ask for specific toys or games, while others prefer to ask for items like clothes or experiences (like tickets to a show or a trip to see Santa at the mall). Whatever you decide you want, be sure to be specific in your request. After all, there’s nothing worse than getting a present from Santa that isn’t quite what you wanted.
The Justification to Santa
Whatever you’re asking for… well, that’s a little trickier. This is where being specific comes in handy again. The more specific your explanation is, the better chance you have of convincing Santa that you deserve whatever it is you’re asking for. So if you’re asking for a new bike because yours is too small and has training wheels, be sure to mention that in your letter!
Knowing the exact words to use when convincing Santa comes in handy for your students, so if you need a little more help in opinion vs. fact, each of my opinion writing units includes this topic to teach. Here’s a blog post on How to Streamline Opinion Writing in 5 Simple Days.
Letter Writing to Santa Materials
- paper
- pencil
- crayons
- glue
- The letter writing unit from yours is genuinely on TPT. Here’s a direct link for you.
Writing a letter to Santa is easy when following our simple guide. Just remember: be specific about what you want and why you deserve it! With those two elements included in your letter, Santa will surely bring precisely what you’ve asked for on Christmas day.
If you’re looking for more ideas on creating a writing routine that works for your elementary-aged students, be sure to check out my Sentences, Paragraphs, and Essays: Oh, my! E-book. You’ll love the tips, tricks, and activities to get your students excited about writing!
Merry Christmas!
–Melissa
