Parents across the UK are being urged to act swiftly as a key festive deadline looms. Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert (MSE) team has issued a final alert, reminding families that the opportunity to receive a free reply from Father Christmas via Royal Mail is about to close.
The Wednesday Deadline for Santa's Post
In a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, MSE highlighted that Wednesday 10 December is the final date for Santa's elves at Royal Mail to receive letters. The service, while promoted as free, does require parents to send their child's letter with a stamped envelope. Current costs are £1.70 for first-class or 87p for second-class postage.
To ensure a reply, the letter must be correctly addressed. The recommended addresses are:
- Santa/Father Christmas, Santa's Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ
- Or in Welsh: Sion Corn, Ogof Sion Corn, Gwlad Y Ceirw, XM4 5HQ
MSE stresses that a full name and return address must be included so Santa knows where to send his personalised response. The team also notes that while the deadline is set by Royal Mail, sending your letter as early as possible increases the chance of a reply.
Important Considerations and Alternatives
The consumer website offers a word of caution: a reply is not 100% guaranteed, even for letters sent well before the cut-off. High demand can sometimes overwhelm the service. For those who miss the postal deadline or want instant festive magic, MSE suggests a handy alternative.
"If this is the case, or you can't wait for Santa's reply, you can download a letter for free, too," the site advises. Furthermore, families requiring a Braille or British Sign Language (BSL) reply can make arrangements by emailing santamail@royalmail.com.
Don't Forget to Track Santa on Christmas Eve
Beyond the letters, MSE reminds everyone of the classic Christmas Eve tradition: tracking Santa's global journey. This can be done for free via the NORAD Tracks Santa website or by downloading its official app on iOS or Android devices. This allows children to follow Saint Nick's progress whether they're at home or visiting relatives.
With the 10 December deadline just days away, the message from Martin Lewis's team is clear: this is the last chance for parents and carers to secure this beloved free festive service from Royal Mail for another year.
