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Dear Santa Letter Week

Indulge in the magic of holiday season - it's Dear Santa Letter Week! Unleash your wishes and witness the joy of giving unfold.

Sunday

8–14

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEDear Santa Letter Week (2nd Sun Nov, 7-day)

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYSeasonal

SUBCATEGORYWinter

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

In the spirit of holiday cheer and childhood nostalgia, let us turn our calendars to November 10 for the spirited Dear Santa Letter Week. This magical week is all about children (and even enthusiastic adults) putting pen to paper and listing their greatest wishes and desires for the Christmas season. Dating back centuries, this heartwarming tradition is traced to children writing letters to St. Nicholas in Europe, expressing earnest gratitude and hopeful requests. Today, it is an international phenomenon, preserving the innocence and magic of childhood belief, and perpetuating the spirit of kindness and giving. So, get those festive pens ready and let the wishes flow from your heart, because it's time to write to Santa!

TIMELINE

Dear Santa Letter Week Timeline

Origin of Santa Letters

The tradition of children writing letters to St. Nicholas in Europe began in the early 19th century, the precursor to modern letters to Santa Claus.

First Published Santa Letter

The first Santa letter ever published appeared in an American newspaper, The New York Times in 1871.

Postal System Embraces Santa Letters

The United States Post Office Department began handling Santa letters, marking a significant recognition of the tradition.

Operation Santa Claus

The first Operation Santa Claus program was launched in New York City to respond to Santa letters. This program is still active today.

Dear Santa Letter Week Established

Dear Santa Letter Week was officially established in the United States to celebrate the tradition of letter writing to Santa Claus.

USPS Letters to Santa Online

The United States Postal Service began its official Letters to Santa program online, ensuring more kids can share their wishes with St. Nick.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Dear Santa Letter Week

Write a traditional letter

Get out your colored pencil and paper. Sit down with the family and write a heartfelt letter to Santa, listing all your Christmas wishes. Tuck the letter into an envelope, seal with a festive sticker, and place it under your Christmas tree or in your fireplace mantel.

CREATE

Create a Christmas wish jar

Instead of writing a letter, have each family member scribble their wishes on little pieces of paper and place them in a Christmas Wish Jar. On the night before Christmas, gather around the jar and share, adding an element of surprise and sharing to the tradition.

POST

Post your letters online

Take advantage of modern technology! There are websites where you can post your letters to Santa and even receive replies! This not only delivers your wishes digitally but opens up an opportunity for family members across the world to add their own wishes.

TEACH

Teach gratitude

In addition to listing wishes, encourage your children to express what they are grateful for in the past year. It’s a great way to teach them to appreciate their blessings and learn about the spirit of gratitude.

ORGANIZE

Organize a letter-writing party

Invite your children’s friends over for a festive party where everyone writes their letters to Santa. Aside from refueling the joy and fascination towards this holiday custom, it is a fantastic way to instill the spirit of giving and sharing among children.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Dear Santa Letter Week

Promotes Bonding Time

Whether it's hosting a letter-writing party with friends, sitting down as a family to write letters, or reading through the wishes in a Christmas Wish Jar, this special week provides ample opportunities for bonding. It's a fun, holiday-themed way to spend quality time together, creating lasting memories.

Preserving Tradition

Dear Santa Letter Week helps to keep the spirit of old holiday traditions alive. There's something special about the act of writing a letter to Santa - it brings back memories of your own childhood, introduces kids to an age-old custom and heightens their anticipation for the upcoming holiday season.

Encourages Gratitude

While it can be easy for kids (and adults) to get fixated on the presents they want during the holiday season, Dear Santa Letter Week encourages everyone to also focus on the things they're grateful for. This practice of gratitude not only brings joy but can also help to shift focus from receiving to giving.

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