What Santa can say, at every age.

A toddler will hear the letter read aloud, probably more than once. Santa keeps it very short, with simple words, lots of warmth and one or two things they’ll recognise: their name, their pet, a new trick. Tell Santa the one thing they are proudest of right now.

• “Ho ho ho, Rosie! I hear you can wave bye-bye and clap your hands. The reindeer clapped too!”

• “Hello, Finn. Mrs. Claus says you love your blue truck. Beep beep!”

• “Give your kitty a gentle pat from me, Lily. You are very kind to her.”

This is the age of wonder, and of reading the letter themselves with a bit of help. Santa uses short sentences and everyday words. Tell him about a first: first day of school, first lost tooth, first time swimming without armbands. Add one kind thing they did for someone else, and a pet’s name if you have one.

• “The elves told me you were brave on your first day of kindergarten, even when your tummy felt wobbly.”

• “I heard you lost your first tooth! The Tooth Fairy and I both think that is very exciting news.”

• “Comet asked me to tell you that your snow fort was the best one on your street.”

Confident readers like detail and a joke. Santa writes friendly, conversational sentences with a touch of humour. Tell him about effort, not just results: the book series they finished, the team they stuck with after a losing season, the science project that exploded (a little). Something they are working on fits well here, said as encouragement.

• “Pip has been keeping count, and he says you read eleven books this year. He has asked if he can borrow the one about the dragons.”

• “I know your team didn’t win many games, but you turned up to every practice. That kind of loyalty is rarer than a snowflake in July.”

• “Long division is tricky. I use it every year to work out how many cookies the reindeer can have, and I still check my answers twice.”

Some older children still believe, and some like to keep the magic going for a younger sibling. Santa writes warmly and with a wink, a little nostalgic, never babyish, as if he knows they’re growing up. Tell him about responsibility they took on, a talent they’ve grown into, or how they help keep Christmas magical for the little ones.

• “You’ve grown into the sort of person who notices when someone is left out. The North Pole could use more of that.”

• “I hear you helped your little brother write his list this year, and kept every secret. The elves would like to offer you an honorary hat.”

Children compare letters at the breakfast table, so each child in an order gets their own letter, written about them. Give each one their own good deeds, even if they did something together, and tell Santa their siblings’ names so he can say hello. A line about how they treat each other is lovely in both letters, from each side.

• “Thank you for teaching your little sister how to build a tower. She thinks you are the best builder in the whole house.”

• “I saw you share your last pancake with your big brother. That is the kind of thing that makes my sleigh bells ring.”

Santa can gently acknowledge a hard year if you want him to, and it often means a great deal to a child. Put it in the private note to Santa: he reads it for context, never quotes it, and keeps his words light and reassuring. You read the letter before it’s mailed, so you decide what stays.

• A move: Santa can say he has updated his sleigh map, and that being the new kid takes courage.
• A new baby: praise the big brother or sister for being patient and gentle, and say Santa’s list has room for everyone.
• The loss of a pet: a short, gentle line that the pet was much loved is usually enough. Leave it out entirely if it still feels raw; there is no wrong choice.
• A family change, like a separation or a grandparent who has died: many parents prefer Santa to focus on the child’s own good news and simply say he is proud of them.

• “Moving to a new house is a big job, even for grown-ups. Don’t worry: the reindeer already know the way to your new front door.”

• “Being a big sister takes patience, and I hear you have plenty. Your baby brother is lucky to have you.”

A letter can be a bright spot on a long stay. Tell Santa about the courage you have seen, a favourite nurse or doctor (first names only), and something they are looking forward to. Santa keeps it cheerful and never mentions illness in detail. Avoid any promise about being home by a certain day.

Mail to hospitals is handled differently from place to place, so ask the ward how letters reach patients, or send it home to be opened on a visit. A voice or video message from Santa can be played from the code on the letter on any phone.

• “The elves heard you have been very brave this month, and they made a special note of it in the big book. I am so proud of you.”

• The town and a local detail: the hill they sledge on, the park, the bus they take.
• A pet by name.
• A specific act of kindness, with who it was for.
• A line from the letter they wrote to Santa, if they wrote one (how to help them write it).
• Something they’re learning, mentioned as encouragement.
• Mrs. Claus, an elf or one of the eight reindeer from the old poem (Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen).

What to leave out: comparisons with siblings, anything about the naughty list, and specific gifts unless you’re sure they’re coming. For more lines to borrow, see more Santa letter wording. When you’re ready, start your Santa letter.