regional customs
Mail to Santa Claus: Children wish for peace
Many children wish for peace from Santa Claus in their letters. photo
© Oliver Dietze/dpa
St. Nicholas Day is only on December 6th. But many children are already thinking about it. It’s not just toys that are on the wish lists.
The children would not name a country in which there was war, but would express the desire for peace and an end to war in general. The topic obviously concerns children and young people in many countries, said Gerecke. But the children also hope for gifts: many wanted classic toys or electronic devices such as cell phones.
Around 3,000 letters arrived
Almost a month before the opening of the St. Nicholas post office, around 3,000 letters had already arrived. “At the moment most of the mail comes from abroad,” said the head of the children’s letter campaign. The countries of origin are primarily China and Taiwan, but there are also a number of letters from Russia and Ukraine. But the first German letters are already arriving – and there are gradually more. “A total of around 100 letters arrive every day,” said Gerecke.
All children receive an answer from Santa Claus. There is also writing in Ukrainian, Hungarian, Russian, Spanish, English and Chinese, among others. The reply letters will be sent out from December 3rd. St. Nicholas Day is December 6th.
During Advent and Christmas 2022, the 40 volunteers responded to 31,636 letters from children from a total of 52 countries – more than ever before. Children have been writing to Santa Claus in the small town in the municipality of Großrosseln near the French border for more than 50 years. The partnership between the festival committee and Deutsche Post has existed since 1967.
According to Deutsche Post, the St. Nicholas post office in Warndt is the oldest St. Nicholas post office in Germany. There are seven Christmas post offices nationwide where children can send their letters to Santa Claus, Christ Child or St. Nicholas.