Have you ever written a letter from Santa Claus in reply to your (or other/ any) children? J.R.R. Tolkien wrote letters and created illustrations which he mailed to his children - he wrote letters from Father Christmas.

The first letters were written to Tolkien's son, John, when he was just three. Tolkien wrote about his (Santa's) travels and adventures and gave the letter a stamps and postage marks which he drew himself. Sometimes the letter was written by Santa's secretary, an elf. Other characters and helpers came into the story through letters, like the North Polar Bear and his cubs,

The letters were written from 1920 to 1942 and were released posthumously by the Tolkien estate. Earlier editions did not have all the letters and drawings. In 1999 the book was republished with more of the original letters and drawings. The book was also changed from the first title: 'The Father Christmas Letters' to the current title ' Letters from Father Christmas'.

Canada Post will reply to all letters to Santa Claus. Send the letter to:

Santa Claus North Pole HOH OHO Canada

I never wrote a letter to Santa Claus when I was a child. I was the oldest of four and maybe just too serious in all the responsibility of looking after younger brother and sisters. Instead of being the one writing to Santa I wrote for Santa. I left letters from Santa with the milk and cookies and carrots for his reindeers. My parents took a nibble of cookies and I drank the milk (I still love milk). We put the carrots back in the fridge but left some of the green tops as evidence. Then I wrote a reply, pretending to be Santa Claus. Just a simple note, not a full, long winded letter. Santa was pretty busy after all.

Did you ever write a letter to Santa Claus?

• Yes, many times over the years.
• Yes, I still write a letter to Santa each Christmas.
• Yes, now I write letters to Santa with (my) children.
• No. I'm too naughty to hope for anything but a lump of coal anyway.
• No. I leave it for the children.
• No, but I do write replies from Santa Claus for the children.
• No. We don't celebrate Christmas.
• No. I'm a Scrooge.