Below are some excerpts of elementary school students' Dear Santa letters. They're from Hico, a TREA Member District, but they are probably typical of the ones printed in your local small town paper in December. There are the usual requests for toys and video games, wishing Santa a safe trip, wondering how he can eat all those cookies, etc. I picked these because they're a little different. Some are funny, some are tear jerkers.
Even though it's been years since I've lived in Hico, I still take the paper and the first thing I do is read my friend, former board member, and paper owner Jerry McAdams' editorial column. One of those is reprinted in this blog, it's about moving to a small town, and you should read it. Then again, it's the most popular read on the blog at over 4500 hits, so maybe you already have. I moved it toward the top of the list in case you haven't.
(some are excerpts and some are entire letters; I kept the spelling as-is)
DEAR SANTA:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want a net to catch lambs because they are so fast. I want more animals like horses, sheep, and cows.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How are you? This year for Christmas I would like my mom to relax and my dad to relax. Thanks you very much and I cannot wait to see you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How is your day. I want a puppy dog because mined died. I want mine back please. I so sad. Also my shoes are dirty can I have a new pair? Have a Merry Christmas.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How is Mrs. Claus. I have been good but I did something rong today. If I have been good enough I want slime please and a makeup set.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want a baitcaster and baits if you don't know its fishing gear and I hope you have a good Christmas.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What I want for Christmas is a new baseball mit, maybe an AR with a silencer if you can get it. It's a gun if you didn't know. And something else I want for Christmas is a go cart so I can drive my friends around town!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am thankful for Christmas. I will take a trailer with some cow and calf.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Christmas I do not want anything. All I want is a teleporter to go back in time or just something for i can see my dog one more time I miss him alot. (He) died three years ago. He died when I was 9 and now I am 12. I miss him alot and I just want to see him one more time. even if it is 1 hour, pls.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My wish is for friends. I would like for my mom to make more money so she dosint have to worry about bills. For my basketball team to win on Sadurday.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all who work in our schools taking care of the 490,000 students in TREA Member Districts. Some have everything and everyone they need at home, some don't -- but they have you. Have a safe, happy, and productive 2026! Respectfully, Bill.
