There are many rituals related to the Santa Claus, which are performed all over the world by children expecting to receive presents or gifts from this mythological character. Some rituals, for instance, NORAD's (North American Air Defense Command) tracking of Santa's sledge on Christmas Eve, are modern inventions while others, like setting out stockings to be filled with gifts, are ancient traditions.

Other rituals, like preparing snacks for Santa, are specific to Christmas Eve while some (like visiting a shopping mall, parades, or department store) occur in the weeks and days before Christmas.

Letter Writing

Writing letters to Santa has been a Christmas tradition for children for several years. These letters usually contain the assertions of good behavior and a wish list of toys and games.

According to the research, girls and boys write different letters. Several postal services allow children to send letters to Santa Claus pleading their requesting desired gifts. These letters are answered by postal workers or other volunteers. In the United States, letters written for Santa are routed to North Pole, Alaska, where they are answered by volunteers. In Britain, the tradition is to burn the letters on the fire so that they would be magically routed via wind to the North Pole.

The address of Santa Claus is –
Santa Claus,
North Pole,
Canada,
H0H 0H0. (Zeroes are used instead of letter “O” in the postal code)

Websites and Emails

In 1955, a Sears Roebuck store in Colorado Springs, Colorado, gave children a number to call the Santa. Children mistyped the number and called the CONAD (Continental Air Defense Command) on Christmas Eve instead. Col. Harry Shoup, the Director of Operations, received the first call and told the children that there were signals on the radar that Santa was heading towards south from North Pole. In 1958, the United States and Canada together created the NORAD and jointly tracked Santa for children of North America. This tracking can now be done by children via NORAD's website.

Christmas Eve

Children traditionally leave Santa a plate of cookies and a glass of milk in Canada and the United States. While in Australia and Britain, he is sometimes given mince pies and sherry. In Ireland, the tradition is to give him Guinness (popular Irish dry stout) or milk, along with mince pies or cookies. In the United States, there are also other rituals like reading tale about Santa Claus, singing Christmas songs, or watching Christmas or Santa related programs on televisions, etc.

Shopping Malls, Parades, and Department Stores

Santa Claus appears few weeks before Christmas in shopping malls, parades, parties and department stores. In 1890, James Edgar started doing this in his Brockton, Massachusetts department store. Santa’s role is played by an actor, while others dressed themselves as elves or any other creatures associated with the folklore of Santa. Santa’s task is either to provide a seasonal experience to children by listening to their wish list, or to promote the store’s image by giving small gifts to children.