Last year around Christmas, I found letters from Ridgeway children to Santa from the early 1900s. This year, I present you with letters from the early 1970s. You might even find your own letter in this bunch.
In 1973, Alicia Sanders, age 8, wrote “Hi! What have you been doing? I am getting ready for Christmas.” She wanted an ice-cream maker and a snow cone maker and assured Santa that her sock was on the chimney and “I will give you some apples for you. I will give you some carrots for the reindeers and the carrots are on the chimney.” Her little brother Jeff, age 6, also wrote to Santa: “This is what I want. I want a race track and a 5-speed bike. I want a radio, a plane and some models. We have a new house and it is in a different place. We have a chimney now and our socks are on the chimney. The apples and carrots for the reindeers are on the table. P.S. We have a cat and his name is Fred. He has a stocking and its the little stocking. Fred wants something from Santa.” Wesley Booth, age 6, wrote “How are your reindeer? I want a football and a Miami football suit. Will you please get me that suit?” (Bethany Republican-Clipper, 12/19/1973)
In 1974, the letters were written by the kids in school and their teachers sent in three from each class. Kindergartener Alan Smith asked for, among other things, “a big John Deere tractor” and “two real guns”. First grader Stacey Fitzpatrick wrote “I want a train to play with. I want a sled. I want a evil knevil set.” Paula Hagan, also first grade, asked for “a dollie named Sweet Sounds tender Love.”
Second grader Paula Hammer wrote “Will you give a new doll and a crib for her to sleep in? How is the workshop. I wanted to find out how Mrs. Claus the elves are doing. And I would also like a game the name of the game is Operation. Please can have doll?”. Classmate Ricky Whitaker asked for “a cowboy suit. I have tried to be good.” In the third grade, Kristy Billups wrote “How are you sweet Santa Claus? Sweet Santa Claus I would like a lite brite. Please Santa Claus will you filled my stocking of toys. And don’t forget my sister.” Shawn wrote “Dear Santa Claus: I’ve all ready sent you a note. This is my picture – Your friend, Shawn” and enclosed his school picture. (Bethany Republican-Clipper, Dec 18, 1974)
The letters to Santa are always fun to read – hope you all had enjoyed these notes from the past.
