“Hope you get rest. From Andrew. P.S: Can you bring my sister, Jill, a 6-foot tall Funshine bear and a regular sized Funshine bear?” wrote one child in a letter to Santa that was received at the Hoboken Post Office recently.
“How’s your summer? I’ve been thinking about what I want for Christmas,” he continued before naming a few items from his list, mainly video games.
Children have until Wednesday, Dec. 23 to submit a letter to St. Nick in the North Pole via the Hoboken Post Office at 89 River St. For more than 30 years, a red mailbox outside the office has allowed children to tell Santa what they’d like.
“I have been a good boy this year and would like to ask for a fast train. Please help the other children to have a nice Christmas too!” – Ben
____________
A postal Service employee of nearly 20 years, Brad Johnson, emptied the letters out Tuesday morning, Dec. 15 – rifling through dozens, including one envelope from Emma with a drawing for Santa and 75 cents.
The branch has had a low turnout this year so far, but letters tend to pile up closer to Dec. 25, with last year adding up to a few hundred.
“My favorite part of the letters every year is that the kids attach the post office to something special during Christmas,” said Johnson. “I also like that it teaches kids to write a letter…so they’re not always just texting.”
St. Nick writes back
Nationwide, the United States Postal Service has been accepting and responding to letters to Santa since at least 1912, when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock launched the annual Operation Santa program.
In addition to children’s letters sprawled across a table at the post office, a number of response letters were also ready to be shipped out, written by “Santa.”
“I wanted to write you a letter to wish you a Merry Christmas. I understand you’ve been good this year and are looking forward to Christmas,” read one, which children receive in addition to a small toy or coloring book. “The elves and I have been working very hard making presents for you and all other boys and girls on my list. Rudolph has his red nose all shined up and ready to lead the other reindeer to your home on Christmas Eve!”
The letter goes on to encourage children to go to bed early, and leave a snack, as delivering gifts to every good child in the world can take a toll.
This year’s letters carried requests for hover boards, an ice cream maker, a Barbie camper, a Gopro, flat screen television, and transformer dolls.
“I have been really good this year. I have been working extra hard this year. All of the presents that I asked for I want a lot. I am getting good grades and having lots of fun in third grade. I love you Santa,” wrote Aidan.
“I have been very nice this year. I am always very nice to my mom (sometimes). I would love a few gifts for Christmas,” read a colorful letter from Amanda.
Steven Rodas can be reached at srodas@hudsonreporter.com.