Saturday, December 16, 2023

Twelve days of Letters to Santa Day Three - A letter to Father Christmas

 Dear Father Christmas - I would like a Cindy Doll. Love Margot


Dear Father Christmas

I am writing to tell you what I would like in my stocking. When you come to my house on Christmas Eve you mustn't look for me in my bedroom because Grandma and Grandad will be there. I will be in Ben's room (next to the bathroom). Ben is too small to write his own letter so I have put some things for him on my list. Also would you bring me a surprise? I like surprises best of all.

Lots of Love,

Miss Charlotte Ruth Hall x

There is a rush after the letter is done. Charlotte needs to get it into the envelope. She picks up a list thinking it is her Christmas list along with her letter and her father posts it up their chimney. Charlotte is good at copying writing but she is too young to be able to read. When Father Christmas reads the letter he admires the neat writing but the list puzzles him. 

"Why it looks more like somebody's shopping list,' he thought. And of course, that's exactly what it was."

  • Bread
  • Carrots
  • Fish
  • Nuts
  • Hot water bottle


The day before Christmas is very cold and thick snow covers the area around the house. Charlotte is worried about the donkey who lives in the next field - she wishes she could bring him in out of the cold. She is worried about the cat. He looks hungry but Charlotte would be so sad if he ate the birds. The birds are hungry too and there are only a few berries left on the holly bushes.

Can you match each gift from the shopping list with her animal friends. The presents in her stocking are certainly a surprise but there is also a special gift for Charlotte - and it is perfect.

This is an old book - the newest copy was published in 1997 - but there are plenty of fairly cheap used copies still available. This book is also sure to be found in many school library collections.

Here is an alternate cover from the US - I laughed when I watched the video read and realised this UK book had been changed for children in America - tap=faucet, Mum=Mom, Tea=Supper for example:



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