The note by the empty cookie plate is the one kids keep. It is short, it thanks them for something real, and it sounds like a busy man with a long night ahead. Three to copy, and a few rules that make them land.
1. For the cookies (Christmas morning, by the plate)
Dear [Name],
Thank you for the cookies and the milk. The [kind of cookie] were exactly what I needed at stop number [a big number]. The reindeer say thank you for the carrots too; [reindeer name] ate two.
Merry Christmas,
Santa
2. For a kindness (any day in December)
Dear [Name],
My elves told me what you did for [person]: [the kind thing]. That is exactly the kind of thing that keeps a name on the Good List.
Thank you. I noticed.
Santa
3. For a letter they sent (early December)
Dear [Name],
Your letter arrived at the North Pole and it is pinned above my desk. Thank you for telling me about [one detail from their letter]. I read every word.
Keep being kind,
Santa
What makes a Santa thank-you work
- One real detail. The cookie flavour, the kind thing, a line from their letter.
- Short. Santa has a lot of chimneys.
- A hand they do not know: capitals, your other hand, or print.
- Thank, never threaten. The note is about what they did right.
The one they keep for years
If you would rather Santa wrote to them properly, he does: a letter mailed in a red envelope hand-addressed in white ink, with a North Pole return address and a real stamp. Free printed letter. $6.99 shipping. Or every word written by hand in red ink, with their best friend, their biggest wish and one thing you are proud of.