Want to talk to Santa? He’s got a conference line

Santa can send your child back a letter through the U.S. Postal Service.

Of course, you can find Santa hanging out at our local malls and stores, but if don’t have time to wait in line or fear that your kid might be the kid who sits on his lap and starts screaming or crying, there’s a different way your kids can talk to Santa.

FreeConferenceCall.com has a direct line to the North Pole. When you call 605-47-SANTA (72682), you’ll get Santa’s Hotline. Your kids can leave a message of what they want.

Santa’s voice recording goes like this:

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! This is Santa Claus and you have reached my personal hotline. We have been very busy making all the toys to deliver on Christmas morning, and I want you to know that your family loves you very much and so do I. So, be good and don’t forget to always listen to your parents. When you hear the tone please leave me your Christmas gift wish list and holiday cheer. And, remember kids, I know who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. Merry Christmas and I’ll see you soon.”

It won’t provide quite the cute pictures that you get with the other Santas, but it’s free and no one has to leave the house.

If you think your child might want a letter from Santa instead, the United States Postal Service has its Letters from Santa Program.

Here are the instructions:

1. Have the child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.
2. Write a personalized response to the child’s letter and sign it “From Santa.” See sample responses from Santa.
3. Insert both letters into an envelope, and address it to the child.
4. Add the return address: SANTA, NORTH POLE, to the envelope.
5. Ensure a First-Class Mail stamp is affixed to the envelope.
6. Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope, with appropriate postage, and address it to:NORTH POLE POSTMARK POSTMASTER
   4141 POSTMARK DR
   ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998

It all has to arrive before Dec. 15. So get writing now.

If they do leave Santa a message or a note that they want a Hatchimal and you’re unwilling to pay the $140+ those little buggers are going for on eBay right now, read my blog about preparing your child for Christmas disappointment. 

And if you are heading to see Santa, remember, a lot of malls let you book your appointment ahead of time.

Find Barton Creek Square’s appointment page here

Find The Domain here

Find Lakeline here

Remember to schedule at a time when kids are not cranky, talk to them about Santa before they go and be ready to bail if it looks like it’s just not going to be a good day.

Don’t try to force it, unless you truly want the crying baby picture you can put on Facebook and embarrass your children with when they are teenagers.