Get in touch with Santa for free

Want to create a bit of Christmas magic for the kids this year without breaking the bank?

Here are a few free - or cheap - ways for them to check if they’ve made it onto Santa’s good list.

Write a letter to Santa online

Writing a letter to Santa has never been easier – and it's completely free. Several UK websites offer a service where you can send a letter to Santa via email. Some of the most popular ones are run by charities and organisations that encourage children to share their Christmas wishes.

For example, the Royal Mail has a special “Santa Letter” service where children can send their wish lists to Santa and receive a reply. Visit the Royal Mail website, print off a letter template, and post it to Santa's official address: Santa Claus, Santa's Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. Royal Mail has promised they will reply to all letters sent before the deadline, and postage is free. Even if you’ve left it too late, you can still get involved by downloading replies on the Royal Mail website.

Santa video calls

There are several free services offering live video calls with Santa. Platforms like Zoom or Skype allow families to set up video chats with Santa, where children can talk to him directly from the comfort of their own home. Some websites schedule these free calls, with a number even offering personalised conversations based on information parents share about their child’s Christmas wish list. Options include Cameo,  Portable North Pole and Santa’s Calling You, which offer free video calls with Santa on select dates and times, some of which are completely free.

Send a letter through local charities

Organisations like the NSPCC run letter-writing campaigns where children can send their Christmas lists for free. Some even include fun surprises, such as personalised letters or small gifts.

These letters are often aimed at children from low-income families, but they’re open to everyone. Check with your local charity to see if they run free services in your area.

Call Santa on the phone

If your child wants to speak to Santa on the phone, there are several free phone lines set up to let children chat with Santa. Each year, UK phone networks offer these magical services around Christmas. For example, Santa Voice Call provides a free service where children can dial in and listen to Santa’s recorded message. Some lines even let kids leave a voicemail for Santa or a short message for Santa to respond to.

These services are usually free, but you might need to use a landline rather than a mobile phone.

Visit a free Santa’s grotto

Lots of shopping centres, local councils, and community organisations set up free Santa grottos for Christmas. These grottos are a great way to meet Santa in person without any charge. Often, these free visits are part of community events, and children can sit on Santa’s knee, share their wish lists, and even take a photo for free.

Check local listings to see what’s happening near you. Many of these free Santa grottos operate on a first-come, first-served basis or might require online bookings to avoid long queues.