Letters from Santa in the UK 2026: free, charity and personalised options

By the Claus Post team · Updated 23 October 2026

In the UK, a letter from Santa can come from one of three places. Royal Mail runs a free scheme for children who write to Santa. Some charities send a letter in return for a donation. And you can pay for a personalised letter, which is posted to your child. Free and charity letters are lovely and simple. A personalised letter is written about your own child's year, and you read it before it is posted.

1. Free: write to Santa through Royal Mail

Royal Mail runs a free Letters to Santa scheme every Christmas. Your child writes to Santa, you post the letter, and Santa tries to reply to as many children as he can.

For 2026, Royal Mail asks you to post letters by Wednesday 9 December 2026. The address is:

Santa/Father Christmas
Santa's Grotto
Reindeerland
XM4 5HQ

• Put a stamp on the envelope.
• Write your child's full name and address on the back, so a reply can find them.
• Royal Mail also gives a Welsh-language address, and braille, large-print and BSL replies can be arranged. Details are on Royal Mail's Letters to Santa page.

• Good for: children who want to write first and hear back.
• Trade-off: the reply is the same kind of letter for every child, so it won't mention their year.

2. Charity letters for a donation

Some UK charities have offered a letter from Santa in return for a donation. Schemes change from year to year, and some take a break, so check the charity's own website to see what is running for Christmas 2026.

• Good for: families who would like the money to support a cause.
• Trade-off: the wording is mostly set, and there is usually no proof to check before it is sent.
• Timing: each charity sets its own closing date.

3. A personalised letter, posted to your child

This is what we do at Claus Post. You tell us about your child: their name, a proud moment from the year, a pet or a favourite toy. We write a letter from Santa about them. You read the finished letter and approve every word. Only then do we print and post it.

• Good for: a letter about your own child, and a keepsake for the memory box.
• Trade-off: it costs money, and you fill in a short form and approve the proof.
• Timing: order by 16 December, then approve your letter promptly.

At a glance

• Cost: Royal Mail is free. A charity letter is a donation. Claus Post is from £12.95, with free tracked UK delivery.
• About your child's year: Royal Mail, no. Charity letters, a little on some. Claus Post, yes, from the details you give us.
• Check it first: only with Claus Post. Nothing is printed until you approve.
• Extras: the Claus Post Original Letter adds a scratch-to-reveal Nice List surprise and a Nice List certificate with a red seal.

Which one should you choose?

• Your child wants to write to Santa and hear back: the free Royal Mail scheme is the natural choice.
• You would like to give to a good cause: look for a charity letter.
• You want Santa to mention the things they did this year: choose a personalised letter.

Many families do more than one. A child can write to Santa through Royal Mail and still get a personalised letter. Some families like Santa's letter to arrive first. Others like it to feel like an answer to the one their child sent.

What our editions include

• Classic Letter, £12.95: the personalised letter, a North Pole envelope with their name, a real stamp and twine, and 1 personalised gift label.
• Original Letter, £16.95: the personalised letter and named North Pole envelope with a real stamp and twine, plus a scratch-to-reveal Nice List surprise, a Nice List certificate with a red seal, and 2 personalised gift labels.

You can choose Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Each has his own letterhead and signature.

How we make it

• You order, and we email you a link to a short private form.
• You tell us about them: their name, their proudest moment, a pet, a favourite toy.
• We write the letter about your child, in Santa's warm voice.
• You approve it. Check names, facts and wording, or ask for a change. Nothing is printed until you approve.
• We print it on antique-coloured paper and post it from the UK within 1–2 working days of your approval, with free tracked UK delivery.

We can't promise an exact delivery date, so order early and approve promptly.

Next step

Order by 16 December for Christmas. Choose their letter. Want ideas for what Santa could say? Browse more guides on the Claus Post blog.