Gratitude-Based Letters to and From Santa Clause

Happy December first! Or as I like to refer to it, first day of Birthmas season! 🤭 

My birthday is on December 25 so I don't have Christmas and I don't have a Birthday, I have Birthmas! The spirit of this holiday season has always been different for me because unlike others, I didn't grow up with a birthday where the entire day's celebrations were catered to me. I give other people gifts on my birthday, I enjoy and look forward to making the day about others and seeing the joy on their faces that comes from celebrating them.

It seems very easy that the spirit of this holiday can be lost in the very consumer focused market and culture we live in. That is evident in the responses I get from people when they find out my birthday is on Christmas with their remarks that are always along the lines "Wow that sucks having your birthday on Christmas, you get less presents than everyone else!"

When I'm asked the question "Do you hate having your birthday on Christmas?" I always respond with "I've never had my birthday on a different day so I don't have anything to compare it to." 🤣 

To me, Birthmas is about gratitude and giving. It's never been about receiving or wanting, for me at least. I feel special having Birthmas because I always get to see the ones I love, there's always yummy food and an abundance of joy in giving to those around me 💕 

To try and help others feel the same way I do around this holiday season, I created these special "Letters to Santa" that incorporate the spirit of gratitude and giving, instead of just wanting and receiving. Geared toward children, it prompts them to reflect on what they are thankful for from the previous holiday season and to share their Christmas "wishes" (instead of a gift list) for both themselves and others (I also created a reply from Santa). It presents a different mindset around the holiday season and encourages being thoughtful at such a crucial age where our future leaders are learning about the spirit of giving during a time of year where the world around them is forcing consumerism.

I'd love to see how you use this idea with the little ones in your lives, if you end up using this idea leave me a comment! If you would like to see and use the specific templates I created, they are available on my Etsy shop in a variety of colors!