Royal Mail offers a free letter from Santa service where your child can write a letter to Santa based on their Christmas wish list and you’ll get a free reply back
Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News
12:09, 09 Dec 2025
Don’t miss the deadline for a free letter from Santa (stock image)(Image: Elena Medoks via Getty Images)
All you need to know regarding Royal Mail’s free letter from Santa service
- Royal Mail provides a delightful service where your little one can pen a letter to Santa, detailing their Christmas wishes, and receive a complimentary response. However, there’s a cut-off date for your letter to reach Santa, which this year falls on Wednesday 10 December 2025.
- Ensure you jot down everything your child is dreaming of for Christmas in the letter and dispatch it to Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. Remember to include your child’s full name and your complete return address on the back of the envelope – this ensures Santa can send a reply.
- You’ll also need to affix a valid UK stamp on the envelope (1st or 2nd class). The ‘free letter’ pertains to Santa’s reply – you’ll still have to cover the standard postage. However, there’s no need to include an additional stamp for his response. If required, you can request replies in various formats: for instance, in Braille or large print. This can be organised by emailing santamail@royalmail.com. Royal Mail advises that due to potentially high demand, they cannot guarantee a reply; unfortunately, not every letter may receive a response. Fingers crossed yours will arrive in time for your child to experience a truly magical Christmas.
- The ‘official’ Santa Mail scheme, operated by Royal Mail, has been a festive tradition since 1963. In its inaugural year, a mere five clerical assistants were tasked with managing approximately 8,000 cards/letters addressed to Father Christmas. Interestingly, about a quarter of the letters received in that first year lacked the child’s address on the back, making it impossible to send a reply. Over the years, this charming custom has grown into a nationwide Yuletide ritual, with Royal Mail assisting “Santa and his elves” in handling hundreds of thousands of letters annually from children all over the UK.
- Surveys conducted by Royal Mail, based on the letters they receive, reveal popular toy requests from children, including brands such as Playmobil, Lego, and Barbie. This indicates that the scheme provides a unique glimpse into the annual toy preferences of children.
Read the full article about Royal Mail letters to Santa here.
