In a season full of lights and decorations, one simple mailbox captures the magic of Christmas in the small town of South Windsor. This magic mailbox is run by South Windsor Parks & Recreation Department. It’s located on the corner of Nevers Park, right across the Police Department, offering children a chance to send their handwritten Christmas wishes straight to the North Pole.
The mailbox is an important stop for kids in town and has become a tradition in the community. Each year, families can be seen stopping by the mailbox and carefully slipping their personally crafted letters inside. Behind the scenes, members of the SWPRD take the time to respond to each letter to deliver the Christmas cheer every child looks forward to around this time of year.
Parents in South Windsor, such as Kaitlyn and Justin Dyke, love this tradition for their two children.
“…they get so excited when the letters come in from Santa,” Justin told The Prowl. “…it makes them believe even more.”
For many children, writing a personalized letter to Santa is a magical experience, but getting one back is even more magical. Receiving a reply from Santa is a memory which children cherish long after the holidays have ended. The SWPRD makes that possible in our community each holiday season. To receive a response from Santa, your return address had to be included on the envelope and the mailbox accepted letters through December 17th.
Not only do the children get excited for this tradition, but so do their parents.
“As parents, we appreciate the letter back and are always excited to see what they say and how our kids react to it,” Dyke said.
The mailbox brings joy to people of all ages in the town, from young children eagerly sending their first letter to parents and community members who enjoy seeing the tradition continue once again.
The tradition continues to bring excitement to families across South Windsor every year. Children include whatever they would like to tell Santa; whether it’s how they behaved this year, their excitement for Santa’s travels, or even cherished Christmas memories. Including their wish lists are also an important part of the letter, giving children something to look forward to on Christmas morning.
Year after year, the SWPRD’s Letters to Santa mailbox continues to remind families in the town of South Windsor that sometimes the simplest traditions make the most lasting holiday magic.
