It's official: North Pole post is open for Christmas 2026.
Today, 1 October, marks an important date in the Santa Letter Direct Christmas calendar because our Dear Santa letters begin being sent from today.
For children who have been collecting Christmas ideas for weeks — or perhaps months — it's finally time to put pencil to paper and start a very important piece of Christmas post.
What Is a Dear Santa Letter?
A Dear Santa letter gives children the opportunity to write their own message to Father Christmas.
Of course, Christmas wishes are likely to feature quite heavily, but a letter to Santa can be much more than a list of presents.
Children can tell him about their year, things they've enjoyed, achievements they're proud of and what they're most looking forward to at Christmas.
They can ask questions too. What does Rudolph eat? How many elves work at the North Pole? How does Santa visit every house in one night?
There's plenty for Father Christmas to read before he even reaches the Christmas list.
Why Do We Start on 1 October?
October is a lovely point for Christmas post to begin.
It's early enough for children to enjoy the process without Christmas feeling rushed, but close enough to December for the excitement to start building.
The evenings are becoming darker, autumn is here and Christmas is gradually beginning to appear again.
For us, 1 October is when that Christmas feeling starts becoming very real.
What Should Children Write to Santa?
There's no correct way to write a Santa letter.
Some children will fill the page. Others may write a few sentences and cover the rest in drawings.
Ideas could include:
- Something brilliant that happened this year.
- An achievement they're proud of.
- Something kind they've done.
- Their favourite thing about Christmas.
- Questions for Santa, the elves or reindeer.
- A few Christmas present wishes.
- A picture for Father Christmas.
If your child isn't sure where to begin, our parent's guide to writing a letter to Santa has plenty more ideas.
The Christmas List Doesn't Have to Be Final
One concern parents sometimes have about writing early is that children may change their minds before Christmas.
That's completely normal.
The letter is a snapshot of what they're excited about now, not a legally binding contract with the North Pole.
Children's interests change, new ideas appear and Father Christmas is very experienced when it comes to Christmas lists.
We've also looked at when children should start writing their Christmas list and why letting it evolve can be part of the fun.
Make Writing to Santa an Occasion
Rather than treating the letter as another form to complete, turn it into a little family activity.
Bring out coloured pencils, stickers and festive stationery. Let children take their time. Younger children can draw pictures while older children write their message.
You could even take a photograph of the finished letter before it begins its journey.
Those early handwritten Christmas lists can become surprisingly lovely keepsakes as children grow up.
And Then Santa Can Write Back
Sending something towards the North Pole is only the beginning.
Our next major Christmas date comes exactly one month from today.
From 1 November 2026, Santa Letter Direct begins sending personalised Reply Letters from Father Christmas.
That's when children can start discovering that the Christmas post travels in both directions.
Listen for the Letterbox
There's something wonderfully different about Christmas magic arriving as real post.
Children are surrounded by screens, messages and instant notifications, but an envelope addressed specifically to them still creates enormous excitement.
We explored exactly that in why children still love receiving post in a digital world.
Writing their own letter first makes receiving something back even more meaningful.
Christmas 2026 Starts Here
There are still weeks to go until Christmas Eve, and that's exactly what makes today exciting.
The whole build-up is still ahead of us.
Letters will be written. Christmas lists will change. Elves will get busier. Replies will begin appearing on doormats. And before we know it, Father Christmas will be preparing the sleigh.
But today belongs to the children.
North Pole post is open. It's time to write to Santa.
Take a look at our Dear Santa letters and begin your child's Christmas 2026 journey to the North Pole.