Hello Annie,
Ho, ho, ho! Greetings from the North Pole!
Thank you so much for taking time to write me a letter. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for the reminder to say “Merry Christmas and to all a good night” when I visit you on Christmas. That was very thoughtful of you because I’m old and sometimes forget.
Thanks for leaving the milk and cookies last year. I shared them with my reindeers because Christmas is really all about sharing. How did you know that chocolate chip cookies are our favorites?
I have been watching to see if you have been naughty or nice. I checked with your teacher and she assured me you have been trying really hard. I talked to your dog and he told me you have been kind to him. Your mom and dad wished you wouldn’t fight so much with your sister and brother. I know it is not always easy being nice to older brothers and younger sisters because they both can really be annoying at times. I know you love them and maybe you can try a little harder next year.
Annie, overall you have been pretty nice this year. Thanks for sending me your long and detailed gift list. The elves are working really hard to get them all done for you this Christmas.
I think it is important for all of us to remember the best gifts are the ones I don’t deliver each year. The gift of good health - too many little boys and girls wrote to wish they could run and play with the other kids. Your parents - too many kid’s Christmas list wished for more time spent at Christmas and all year long with one or both of their parents. Please don’t take for granted your home.
So many kids wrote simply wishing for a safe warm place to live and enough food to eat for Christmas dinner.
Annie, please enjoy the day with your family and take a moment to remember the best gift of all and the reason we celebrate Christmas, the gift God gave to us more than 2,000 years ago.
Thanks again for the letter. Mrs. Claus, the elves, reindeer and I want to wish you and your family a Merry and Blessed Christmas.
Your friend,
Santa Claus
The staff of the Dickinson Press would like to thank Santa for his permission to publish his response letter to Annie. We too would
like to wish each of our readers a Merry and Blessed Christmas.
