麻豆传媒映画

Father Christmas and his elves are already hard at work preparing for the big day, and children in France have until December 17 to send in their Christmas lists and receive a reply.

France鈥檚 postal service La Poste announced yesterday (November 11), that children can simply write 鈥�P猫re No毛l鈥� on the envelope and there is no need for a stamp.

However, they should remember to write their own address on the back to ensure that they receive their reply.

An army of volunteers and temporary employees working from Libourne (Gironde) will then endeavour to send messages 鈥� in French or in English 鈥� to every child who writes in.

Children can also send an electronic Christmas list to Santa through La Poste鈥檚 , by clicking 鈥�茅crire au P猫re No毛l鈥� (write to Father Christmas).

鈥淭he letter to Father Christmas often allows a child to create their first links with [the world of] writing,鈥� La Poste said in a statement. 鈥淔or them, it is a wonderful opportunity to experience their first epistolary exchange.鈥�

Last year, La Poste received 1.25 million letters for Father Christmas.

France鈥檚 Christmas letter initiative was first set up in 1962, when 5,000 children who wrote messages to Santa received a reply written by Fran莽oise Dolto, who was a paediatrician, psychoanalyst and sister of the then Minister of the Postal Service, Jacques Marette.

鈥淢y dear child, I was so happy to read your kind letter,鈥� it read. 鈥淚 am sending you my portrait. As you can see, the postman found me: he is very clever.

鈥淚 have received many requests. I do not know if I will be able to bring you everything you asked for. I will try, but I am (very) old and sometimes I get mixed up, you鈥檒l have to forgive me.

鈥淏e good, work hard. A big hug from Father Christmas.鈥�

Related stories

France鈥檚 Christmas 鈥榖onus鈥� state aid: who is eligible?

France to make up UK鈥檚 1 million Christmas turkey shortfall

French DIY and toy shops increasingly affected by material shortages