Local first graders pen letters to Santa

A lot of things probably feel different about this holiday season as it draws near, thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but one thing remains a constant for the young people of Homer — getting out pen and paper to converse with the man in the big red sleigh.

First grade students at Paul Banks Elementary School recently submitted letters to Santa to their teacher, Jennifer Reinhart. The correspondence gets right to the point and lays out the students’ Christmas wishes, but also provides some perspective on how these first graders have experienced this unique and challenging year.

Sprinkled throughout the letters are references to face coverings, COVID-19, Zoom meetings, and other trappings of the pandemic. Even more obvious, though, are the shrewd questions the kids have for the big man. Their inquiries about reindeer, elves, the North Pole and more show that the wonder and curiosity sparked by Santa Claus and all he represents can’t be squashed by the pandemic.

The following letters, published as written, offer a peek into what gifts are popular among first graders these days, as well as some curiosities and thoughts about Santa and the holiday season.

Der Santa,

We finally put our Xmas tree up. I have been good this year; I cleen my room everyday! How do you give kids presents if they don’t have a chimney? I really want a puppy for xmas.

Love,

Adrien

Dear Santa,

I have wished for a scribble scribble set with cats and dogs. My daddy will not be here for Christmas this year. I miss him. I was very helpful to my Grandma and did lots of chores. How are you and the reindeer doing.

Love,

Anika

Dear Santa,

How are you? I was nice this year. I help with my sister. I wud like a lol doll set.

Love,

Aubrey

Dear Santa,

I have been doing school work and not complaining. I’ve been good but I got a little too excited a lot and I peeked at some gifts. Do you build gingerbread houses at the North pole? I really hope I get the red robot lego set with Kai.

Love,

Beau

Dear Santa,

I want to see your elves. I have been good this year. How does your magic work? I want a nurf mini gun.

Love,

Brady Werts

Dear santa,

Thak you fur all of the presits. Haw wus yr day? I have ben a good kid to my sistr. I want L.O.L.S legos, and Pokemon.

From,

Bronson

Dear Santa,

We have been decorating for Christmas. I was good this year because I want mac and cheese. I am curious has anyone ever seen you besides Mrs. Claus and the elves? I want the Alex Heart Na Na Na Surpise Doll please!

Love,

Vada Scalzi (written on her behalf by her 1st grade big sister, Delaney)

Dear Santa,

I like to skate. I have been good. Are your elves green? I want Pokemon, airpods, I pad mini, Rc care and camo sweatshirt. Merry Christmas!

Love,

Dylan

Dear Santa,

This yeer I do not wont anything. This yeer I wont my mom and dad to spend time with me. Because thay have bin bisee. So Santa I was wundring if you have to war a mask. xoxoxoxo

Love,

Easton

Dear Santa,

I decorated my tree. I have ben good. I hugd my sis. How are you. Is it going well? This yeer I wont a tablit so I can lisin to oteeoboocs (audio books).

Sincerely,

Evelyn

To Santa,

I am 7 years old now. I tried to be really good. Maybe if you are not busy after Christmas you can go fishing with me across the bay. I would like a gum ball machine, a tablet just for me, and some headphones please. I hope you have a great Christmas!

Love,

Evie F.

Dear Santa,

We got snow and I built a fort. I have been nice. How do you eat all of those cookies??? I want a KC boat.

Love,

Gabriel

Dear Santa,

We made cupcakes yesterday. I don’t like Zoom meetings. Why do you wear a red suit? I was both naughty and nice because sometimes I am mean to Elmo and sometimes I am nice. I want a cat for Christmas. Bye.

Love,

Ila

Dear Santa,

I mis you! I hot a new puppy on my brthtay. I have been good this year because I have been helpfl with helping my sistr. I help Ayla wen she fols in the snow and I help her in the night. I wondr if I cood ride in your slaye. Cood you plees get me Violet’s ribin and dress.

Love,

Isla

Dear Santa,

Can you please give me a new game for my Nintendo. Santa, how are you still alive? Is it magic that the older you get the longer you live?

I’ve been really nice for like a year and I’ve been only a little bit naughty. Like 1%. Does the ground of the arctic freeze? How many north poles are there?

Do your reindeers get older?

Your friend,

Ridley

Dear Santa,

I was sick with covid. I was very good all year. I want Barbies. I helped lots of people. Thank you Santa.

love,

Maddi

Dear Santa,

I liked meeting you at the North Pole. I have been good. You should wear a mask this year./ I would like to get a LOL Doll. I would like to get a toy car. I would like to get Biscuit books. Merry Christmas.

Rozalyn

Dear Santa,

You got my presints rit. Did you tok to the grinch? I was nic this hole yere! I wont a groot costum and a Nintendo. I wont a cat lazr to ples. Merry Christmas!

Love,

Lucas

Dear Santa

Do you like mint? I like to play hockey! I share with Iso! I would like a drone for X-mas.

From,

Sullivan

Dear Santa,

My friends are spending Christmas with my friends. I think I have been good this year. How are the elves doing? I would like a puppy toy for Christmas please.

From,

Lilliana

Dear Santa,

I built a snowman bigr than me! Do you have any kids? I have been a little bit naughty, but mostly nice. For Christmas I would like a Donnie toy please.

Love,

Wyatt

Dear Santa,

My grandprnts are coming to visit me. I have been good. How is Rodolph? Can I have a train for Christmas?

Love,

Ikaia