Chances are, you’ve had to answer the question from a Santa-infatuated child at some point: Can I send a letter to Santa Claus at the North Pole?
Well, um … sure, Junior.
But as a parent, it might be an easier task than you think, and we’ve listed below several places that can handle letters to Santa with aplomb.
Champaign
The Champaign Park District’s Prairie Farm has a mailbox for letters. Keep in mind the mailbox is only accessible during the farm’s Winter Nights, which happen Thursday through Sunday. Find more info here about those events.
Dick’s House of Sport in Champaign has stationed a mailbox near its climbing wall. (One of Santa’s elves told us the big guy will email the parent any list that is contained in the child’s letter.)
Paxton
The Paxton Park District (601 S. Fall St.) has a mailbox devoted to Santa letters. Elves pick up the letters once a day, so if you happen to see some letters already in the box, please leave them alone. Also, Santa wants to make sure he has every child’s address listed correctly in his naughty-and-nice book, so if you leave a return address he’ll send you a reply.
Amy Swan’s house at 720 N. American St., also has a Santa mailbox. Again, a return address is suggested so Santa can write back with assurances that he has the right info in his big ol’ address book. You can also find a mailbox at several businesses: Pueblo Lindo, Paxton Hardware and Rental (True Value), Mom and Pops Kettle Korn Stop, IGA and Ruby Jewel Antiques.
Fisher
Santa dropped off a mailbox at El Jefe Cantina Mexican Restaurant.
Tolono
TM Horse Haven in Tolono has a mailbox at its barn. During upcoming events, Horse Haven also will have an area with paper, envelopes, markers and stickers for kids to write their letters.
Have we missed a Santa mailbox near you? Email us at editor@chambanamoms.com and let us know.