A Little Glitter, a Lot of Heart: Local Author Is Keeping Christmas Magic Alive With Personalized Letters From Santa

There's something extra magical about receiving a letter from Santa Claus. One local author is helping bring that magic to life for children, one personalized, handwritten letter at a time! Katherine Ruskey is spreading Christmas cheer through her Letters From Santa program, giving parents the opportunity to surprise their little ones with a special message straight from Santa's desk at the North Pole. And these aren't your ordinary form letters! Each one is personalized with little details that make children feel like Santa really does know them.

A Little Survey, A Whole Lot of Christmas Magic

The process starts with a short survey that parents fill out about their child. It gives Katherine everything she needs to create a letter that's personal, encouraging, and full of Christmas magic. Think of it as a tiny report card from the North Pole!

Parents can share something their child will definitely be receiving for Christmas, something they've asked for that Santa might not have room for in his sleigh, something Santa is especially proud of them for, and even something they could work on improving….”fighting with siblings comes up the most.” The survey also asks whether the child has an Elf on the Shelf who has been keeping an eye on things and reporting back to Santa. Parents can even include details about family pets, giving Santa the opportunity to add an extra-special touch. Imagine your child opening a letter that says, "I'll be sure to try and leave something for Rufus, your yellow Lab, too!" Or Snowflake has been reporting how clean your room is! Bravo! It's those little details that make the letters feel so real and make the experience even more exciting for kids.

Katherine has a little experience working with children, too! She's been teaching elementary school for 21 years, which makes creating these personalized, age-appropriate messages come naturally. She knows how to celebrate the good things children are doing while gently encouraging them to keep growing.

Handwritten, Glitter-Filled & Straight From the North Pole

The magic doesn't stop with the words inside! Each letter is handwritten in easy to read teacher handwriting,, stuffed with Santa's special glitter, and stamped as though it traveled all the way from the North Pole. For just $7, parents can give their little ones a keepsake they'll remember long after the Christmas tree comes down. And if a family has multiple children, all letters come in the same envelope so one child doesn’t get a letter before the other. (She learned her lesson year one!) There's also an option to add one of Katherine's children's books, signed by Santa himself and sent right from the North Pole!

From LOL Dolls to the Sweetest Christmas Wish

Over the years, Katherine has received some pretty adorable requests for what's going under the tree. From new markers and LOL Dolls to Beyblades, roller skates, and even surfboards, children's wish lists are always full of surprises. 

But one request this year really stopped her in her tracks. A parent reached out to share that her daughter had just one Christmas wish: she wanted every homeless person to have a house. It's the kind of request that makes you stop and remember what Christmas is really about. Katherine hasn't quite figured out exactly how Santa will respond to that one just yet, but she knows her answer will come straight from the heart. And it remind us that sometimes the most meaningful Christmas wishes aren't about what's waiting underneath the tree.

Keeping the Magic Alive, One Letter at a Time

Katherine wrote 90 letters during her very first year offering the service, and it's easy to see why the idea has caught on with families. For her, it's a pretty perfect way to spend the holiday season. "I love writing. I love Christmas. I turn on a Christmas movie, put on some Christmas jammies and write. It's heart warming to know that my letters keep the magic of Christmas alive for at least another year for some kids.

And it makes me smile when I see returning family letters and they’re kids are another year older still believing in the magic.” And really, isn't that what it's all about? In a world where so much of Christmas can feel rushed and centered around what's underneath the tree, Katherine is helping families hold onto something a little more meaningful: the wonder, excitement, and imagination that make childhood Christmases so special.

Want a Little North Pole Magic Delivered to Your Home?

If you'd like to surprise a special little someone with a personalized letter from Santa, you can fill out Katherine's short survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIU-j1AsbIkkxJ3jRyHqB-FLiZP9uK0Ly2rPBcUY6KzcTIzQ/viewform

Letters are $7 each, with the option to add a signed children's book. Payments are accepted through Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.

So put on those Christmas pajamas, get the hot chocolate ready, and let Santa know a little more about the special child in your life. After all, some of the sweetest Christmas memories arrive in the mail!