‘Dear Santa and elves..'

Press, 20 December 1985, Page 1

‘Dear Santa and elves..'

By

SUE LANCASTER

This year’s letters to Santa Claus included everything from warnings about changes of address, to solo mothers asking for film stars. Canterbury letters addressed to Santa are forwarded to Mrs Claus. With the help of several Post Office workers, she answers those with return addresses. Mrs Claus said she replied to the mail because Santa was too busy organising things at this time of the year. All of the letters are different but some are more inventive than others. For example:— “Dear Santa and the elves, “Please could you bring me a dolly in a pram (which folds up so I can take it in our car). I will leave the sliding door open and leave you a glass of Bourbon and a piece of Christmas Cake ... Be careful of our dog ... Don’t go round the back, or he might bark.” Another child who wrote to Santa this year was worried that her presents might go astray. “Dear Santa, “I will be at Piha on Christmas Eve, not Methven.” Many tried to butter Santa up. “Dear Father Christmas, “You are my best friend. I would love it if you could get me these things ... You could even come and play with me at my house ...” One boy knew Christmas was expensive so included in his long list, “... and if you have enough money...’’ Others were worried about Santa’s health. “Dear Father Christmas, “I hope you haven’t got a cold ...” Some are sad. This child was not worried about presents:—

“All I ever want for Christmas is my little brother to be happy up there in ‘God’s Heaven’ ... If you visit heaven, please give my baby brother a big cuddle as our Christmas present.” A few might even be thought rude. “I hope you’re not too fat to get down the chimney ...” This child had a little help from Mum:— “Dear Santa, “I would like a gun and a transformer, and a control car and a soap pen for Christmas. I want lollipops too please, and chewing gum, because I have tried hard to be a good boy. I will feed you and your reindeer with grass and water and cake and fizzy drink. But Mummy said ‘Please could you clean up after your reindeer this year please

Mrs Claus said it was a shame when she could not reply to some letters because there was no return address. She tried to find children through the telephone book, but some letters had to go unanswered. Adults are not left out in the mailbag;

Mrs Claus found one letter asking for a microwave oven and other household items. She rang the number on the letter only to find a girl had written it for her mother.

Mrs Claus, found a letter from two solo-mothers asking for several male film stars particularly funny. The best. she could do, however, was send pictures of some of their favourites. The Christmas mail was still arriving yesterday, and Mrs Claus said she expected to have about 3000 letters by Christmas Day. She reads them all with interest but she keeps one beside her desk for inspiration. “Dear Santa, I love you.”