Royal Mail reminds parents to send letters to Santa before deadline

"I need to let the elves know what to make so to help me out, please let me know what you would like as early as possible."

(WOOHAE CHO/AFP/Getty Images)

Christmas Day is just weeks away, and letters from children to Santa must be sent off soon to guarantee a response before the big day.

The Royal Mail recently reminded parents and carers that letters to Santa must be sent out by Sunday 6 December, to avoid disappointed little faces.

A note to parents on the Royal Mail website attributed to St Nick reads: “Dear boys and girls,

“Christmas is a very exciting but busy time for me: the elves are making toys, the reindeer are practising their sleigh runs, and I'm busy preparing my list of who's been good this year.

“I need to let the elves know what to make so to help me out, please let me know what you would like as early as possible.”

Appearing to cover himself against any potentially missed letters, he added: "I will be getting my sleigh ready for the long journey on Christmas Eve and inbetween I will try to reply to as many of you as possible."

Letters should be sent to: Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ.

The Royal Mail has been delivering letters from Santa to children for more than 50 years.

Some 19,000 extra staff join the 124,000 core team at Christmas, as cards and parcels fill mail boxes.