Hot Coco, Letters to the North Pole, and Lunch with Santa

Hot Coco, Letters to the North Pole, and Lunch with Santa

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

Grab some pencils and note pads, it’s time to get those letters to Santa Claus sent before Christmas. Every year almost seven million letters are written to Santa Claus and shipped through the Post Offices internationally. More than 1 million of the letters written globally arrive from the United States. When considering what to add to our letters to Santa it’s good to remember that Christmas is a time to bring loved ones together. The average Christmas letter consist of a good opening with “Dear Santa” followed up with an introduction of the letter writer such as name and age. Each letter we send out typically contains a report on our self-behavior through the year to let Santa know we have been trying to be good, and Santa knows if we’ve been naughty or nice. Our letters to Santa will often harbor a list of desired items and outcomes ranging from toys to wishes for others to prosper from the holiday season. Following our letters to Santa Claus, it is a good time of the year to remember that you can ask Santa questions about his age, living arrangements, relationships with his elves and family members, and his abilities to visit everyone around the globe in a single night.

            This year, children looking to write letters to Santa and hang out with some like minded kids, are invited to Lunch with Santa sponsored by “I Believe Foundation”. On Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, be a part of the fun at the Boyd County Midland Branch Library as everyone participates in crafting letters to Santa Claus. To fuel the kids through their writing party there will be plenty of hot chocolate, a cozy lunch, and a litany of Christmas activities. Lunch with Santa is set to begin at 1 p.m. and will end at 5 p.m. Get those wishes ready and plan for an awesome day as Santa Claus himself is scheduled to be front and center from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone who is interested in attending Lunch with Santa is asked to register with an RSVP with the I Believe Foundation Kentucky. Registration can be found at their Facebook page or by emailing ibelievefoundation@outlook.com. Registration is not required but is asked to better serve the attending parties. The Boyd County Midland Branch Library is located at 6686 US 60, Ashland, Kentucky 41102.  What better way to get ready for the holidays than a day filled with Christmas fun and a building filled with others who believe?

            The story of Santa Claus is somewhat mysterious as we know that he is originally a man named Saint Nicholas, born March 15, 270AD in Patara, Turkey. Saint Nicholas now known as Santa Claus based on his relationship with Germanic Yule traditions, is mostly known for his kind-hearted nature, generous giving, and his tendency to provide gifts to others in secret. One famous story of Saint Nicholas is of his heroic tale of helping a poor young lady by throwing bags of gold down her chimney only to find its way into her stockings left by the hearth. Santa Claus is most known for his aid to young children, sailors, unmarried women, and merchants who helped others. A lesson can be learned from Santa, and that is that miracles, justice, and messages of love can come from the most unsuspecting places, even a mysterious bishop who spends his life serving those in need.