Parents should encourage kids to put pen to paper and actually write letters to Santa, rather than speeding up the process by sending an email.
The Children’s Literacy Charity said physically writing a letter to Father Christmas is “what this time of year is all about”, despite ‘Email Santa’ sites being created.
It gives children the opportunity to practise writing as a skill, seeing as much of their time may be spent on computers, phones and iPads.
“Children are writing fewer letters to Santa as email is taking over for time-pressed parents,” said Matthew Hickey, CEO of the charity.
“We know a lot of stuff is happening online and digitally, and of course being digitally literate is important, but we believe writing is paramount to a child’s development and will always be important.
“If you can’t handwrite, how can you answer an exam question properly, or fill out an application form?”
Hickey continued: “It is about developing children who are multifaceted, who can do everything to prepare them for the future. Not just being able to be prepared for the digital age, but actually being prepared to put pen to paper and use those multiple skills.
“As a charity, we are keen to encourage and inspire parents and children to sit down together this Christmas and put pen to paper, upholding the centuries old tradition of letter-writing to Santa.
“We know that when parents are engaged with their children’s learning and development, it can make a huge difference to the outcomes for those children.”
To get your kids writing, you could start off by downloading a free ‘letter to Santa’ printable template here.
If you want your child to receive a response from Santa (without writing it yourself), it’s too late to send to the Royal Mail address. However, parents can donate a small amount to NSPCC to use their “letter to Santa” scheme.
Parents can pay £5 to get a reply from Santa. They can choose from eight Christmas stories and personalise the reply to include their child’s name, age, best friend, gender and a personalised message. The age categories (1-3, 4-5, 6+, ‘baby’s first’ and ‘grown-up’ letter) ensure the letter is easier to read for younger kids, and longer for more advanced readers.
All the letters are posted out in early December. To make sure your child receives their letter in time, you’re advised to order online before 16 December.