As the wintry holiday season ushers in another magical moment in the small town of Halsey with colorful lights, hot apple cider and, for many, presents under a Christmas tree, some of the town’s little kids will also be receiving a letter from Santa Claus.
Tina Brown, Halsey-Shedd’s new postmaster, started a tradition in Lebanon 11 years ago of writing letters on behalf of Santa to children who sent him a letter, and now she’s bringing that gift to Halsey.
“I just thought it would be fun to do,” she said. “I found so much joy in doing it for the kids that it just kind of kept growing and getting better and more exciting.”
Letters from Halsey that are addressed to Santa Claus without a stamp on them are handed to Brown for her special service. Brown is not allowed to open any letters that have stamps on them.
Brown loves Christmas, a time of year that makes her feel “amazing.” She said it’s the joy of all the colors and decorations and “magic” that go into the season.
“Everything about it just makes me feel awesome,” she said.
Brown has also taken on the role of Mrs. Claus for Lebanon’s holiday parade after kids once mistook her for the jolly man’s wife while she was wearing a Santa dress.
The letter writing just makes the season that much better for her.
“All the joy I get hearing from the parents of how much the kids love this, I really can’t explain how awesome it is,” she said. “I just super enjoy it.”
Brown estimated she was getting between 50 to 100 letters a year when she fulfilled the role in Lebanon for the past 10 years.
She responds to each child’s letter using colorful pens on decorative paper and envelopes, and sends little gifts such as snap bracelets, rings, pencils or spinning tops.
“I’m just really about the spirit and how it makes me feel to make these kids feel so special,” she said.
Over the years, Brown had seen letters from the same kids, and even pets. A “dog” might tell Santa they’ve been really good and haven’t bitten any letter carriers this year, or that they don’t want any sweaters but they love cookies.
Some of the kids apologize to Santa for being a “jerk,” while other letters are “tear jerkers,” Brown said. Those are the ones who say they don’t want any presents, or they ask for help for their neighbor, or say their parents aren’t together anymore.
In her letters back to the kids, she shares stories about things that are happening at the North Pole: snowball fights, the sleigh getting washed, Rudolph turning 150 years old, Frosty the Snowman helping in the kitchen, elves keeping busy, or “Mrs. Claus’ cookies make my belly feel warm.”
And when signing off, she writes, “Remember to be good and spread kindness,” because kindness is important.
Letters can be dropped off for Santa at the Halsey and Shedd post offices by Dec. 22.