Letters From Santa for Grandchildren: A Family Tradition
Letters from Santa for grandchildren start with a few details from the people who know them best. Check with their parents, choose something each child feels proud of, and plan where the letter will arrive. You can share the reading on the sofa or over a family video call.
Perhaps your grandchild has spent every visit showing you a new drawing. Maybe they finally learned to tie those stubborn shoelaces. A letter that mentions a small piece of their year gives them something to point to and say, "That's me!"
How do you arrange letters from Santa for grandchildren?
Start by agreeing with the parents on who will arrange the letter. Then gather the child's details and choose a package that suits the family. One adult should keep track of the order so you don't both plan the same surprise.
If this is your first year, our guide to letters from Santa explains the choices. For the steps involved in adding a child's details, see how to get a personalized letter from Santa.
Think about the moment you hope to share before you choose the extras. A grandchild who loves mail may want to read the letter several times. Another may enjoy finding a place to keep it with their Christmas treasures.
What should you check with their parents first?
Ask which name the child would like Santa to use. You may always call them by a family nickname, while they now prefer their full first name. Have a parent send the spelling in a message so you can check it as you enter the details.
Confirm the delivery address, too, especially if the family has moved or plans to visit you over Christmas. Choose one place for the package to arrive. Check current shipping information before making a plan around a travel date. Our guide to Santa letter order deadlines for Christmas 2026 explains why an early order gives you more room to plan.
It's also worth asking whether a Santa letter is already part of the parents' plans. You can offer to take care of it this year or help with the details. That leaves everyone free to enjoy the surprise when the envelope appears.
A short message is enough to get started: "I'd love to arrange a Santa letter this year. Would that fit with your plans?" Give the parents time to answer, then keep the details together in one private note. It helps when you're planning letters for grandchildren in more than one household.
Which details make each grandchild's letter personal?
Choose a detail your grandchild will recognize right away. The best place to begin might be something they told you on the phone last week. Ask a parent whether that interest is still a favorite before adding it to the letter.
| Ask about | An idea to look for | Check with a parent |
|---|---|---|
| A favorite activity | Drawing animals or building with blocks | Is it something they still enjoy? |
| A small achievement | Learning to ride a bike or read a book | Do they feel proud of it? |
| A kind moment | Helping a sibling or welcoming a new friend | Would they enjoy hearing it mentioned? |
These are prompts to help you think, not details to borrow. A quiet act of kindness can be just as lovely as a big milestone. Keep the message warm and leave out worries or private matters the child would not want shared.
For siblings or cousins, gather a separate set of details for each child. Read the names and notes once more before you finish. Give each grandchild their own praise, without comparing who has learned more or done something first.
If you're writing custom text, our guide to what to write in a letter from Santa can help you shape those details into a kind message. You don't need to fit a whole year onto the page.
Read the finished words aloud before you send them. A phrase that looks fine on a screen can sound stiff when spoken. Use words your grandchild understands, and make sure the praise feels like something they would be glad to hear.
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A letter and certificate
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A personalized Santa letter with a Nice List Certificate to enjoy and keep.
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How can you share the moment from far away?
Arrange a family video call with the parents when there's time to sit and read. Prop the phone or tablet somewhere steady, then let your grandchild show you the envelope. They may want to read the letter themselves or ask a grownup to help.
Follow their lead as they tell you about it. Ask which part they liked best, or let them hold the page close to the camera. There is no need for a planned speech or a perfect photograph.
If the timing doesn't work, read together on another day. A parent can keep the letter nearby for your next call. The child may have a favorite line they want you to hear by then.
When you're together in person, find a comfortable spot where everyone can see the page. Leave the rest of the afternoon open. Your grandchild might want to talk about Santa, draw a reply, or go straight back to playing with a cousin.
How can the letter become a yearly tradition?
Give this year's letter a home once the reading is over. Your grandchild might choose a folder with their name on it or a spot in a keepsake box. Add the year to the folder so it's easy to find again.
For letters you hope to keep for years, the Library of Congress guide to caring for paper offers advice on storage and handling. If a certificate is part of your package, our Nice List Certificate guide has ideas for enjoying that keepsake, too.
Tracey shared what this tradition meant in her family:
The package was awesome. My grandson loved it and was amazed with personalization. We enjoyed his delight and wonder at it all. I have purchased this for 3 years and never regretted it. This package has given him and us as well, priceless memories to be cherished !! Thank you!!
- Tracey N. - Verified Buyer
Next year, ask about something new before you start. The child who loved building towers may now be learning a song for the school concert. Each letter can hold a little of who they are that Christmas.
What else do grandparents ask?
Can grandparents arrange a letter from Santa?
Yes. Check with the parents first so you can agree on the child's details, delivery address and who will handle the order. This also helps avoid two adults arranging the same surprise.
Should each grandchild have a separate letter?
A separate letter gives each grandchild a message of their own. Choose a personal detail for each child, and check names carefully before you finish. Keep the praise kind without comparing siblings or cousins.
What if I am unsure what my grandchild likes now?
Ask a parent for a recent interest or a small achievement the child feels proud of. Use a detail they will recognize, rather than guessing from an old favorite.
Can I write my own Santa letter text?
Yes. You can use your own custom letter text. Start with a warm greeting, add a detail from your grandchild's year, and finish with a kind Christmas wish. Check the spelling before you submit it.
Does my grandchild need to read on their own?
No. A parent or grandparent can read the letter aloud while the child follows along. Leave time for questions and let them ask to hear a favorite part again.
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About the author
Co-Founder, Package From Santa®
Carey is a co-founder of Package From Santa® and a parent who has spent more than 20 years helping families create believable, personalized Christmas magic. Known around the North Pole as Elf Carey.
Related reading: Letters from Santa: the complete guide for parents, What to write in a letter from Santa, A free personalized phone call from Santa and 15 Christmas Eve box ideas on the Package From Santa® blog.
