Santa’s LITTLE HELPER
Everyone sends a letter to Father Christmas once in their lifetime – have you ever had a response? Louise Crockett, 35, from Hampshire, reveals all of being Santa’s PA...
Reaching out, Santa knew exactly who to ask when he was in need of some festive help – I mean I have always been on the nice list! Knowing all about how I loved writing as a child, Santa saw that I had been writing letters to family members and friends pretending to be the big man himself since the age of 14.
I’m sorry that I cannot bring you Mel Gibson physically this year but leave it will me and I’ll see what I can do, I wrote, framing the perfect response to my mum, Perry.
A strong believer in Father Christmas, I wanted to make her dreams come through, writing her a personal letter all about what had been going on that year, and tempting her with what she might have been receiving for Christmas.
Sealing the envelope with a kiss, I then posted it to our house – making sure that the letter had been written with my left hand to avoid being caught.
Without knowing where the letter had come from, it was as if Santa really had replied.
And from then on, I made it my mission to write personalised letters to my cousins, nieces, nephews, friends in baby group, and even my own children Ellis, six, and Mary, three, every year.
‘Somebody has been writing these letters,’ my friend in the baby group mentioned.
However, concealing the true magic behind what I had been doing, I never got caught.
That’s when in 2018, I got a very festive request from Father Christmas himself.
‘I know what you have been doing, and I’d like you to be my personal assistant,’ he said, all the way from Lapland.
At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to do it, there was all sorts of preparation involved.
How was I supposed to know what all the children, pets, and adults in the world were doing at the same time?
But I couldn’t let Santa down – I mean who else can say that they have Santa as their boss?
I would have to be on my best behaviour at all times.
Working alongside the big man, I was able to start writing sensational letters, keeping spirits merry and bright all over the UK.
‘Snow is falling softly here at the North Pole, and the elves and Mrs. Christmas are helping me to get ready for the most exciting time of the year,’ Santa would say, giving me just enough time to jot everything down.
‘Merry Christmas…. From Father Christmas,’ he added. This one is perfect, I thought. So, printing the final letter off, folding it up, and sealing it with a lot of love, just like I did as a child, it was time to post it.
Father Christmas was too busy organising everyone’s presents, so I had to go to the local post office for these ones! And there would be plenty. Writing up to 80 letters, full of children’s favourites such as
Who else can say they have Santa as their boss?
Minecraft and Disney classics, it was amazing seeing how much Santa could find out.
And I got some insight into other adult’s lives at Christmas, too – sometimes it was clear that they had been drinking too much sherry!
It felt like an honour to be able to help out, giving people exactly what they wanted to hear on Christmas morning – it was like I was part of a miracle.
Especially writing to babies who were going to experience their first Christmas.
It felt like I was the one that was introducing them to Santa – something they wouldn’t forget for the rest of their lives.
Although it does mean plenty of late nights – and this year I’ve even got a group of little elves helping me.
At the moment, I’m very busy working alongside Santa – so I need plenty of mince pies to get me through.
I can see why Father Christmas has eaten so many over the years!
I’m grateful that I was lucky enough to be chosen to be Santa’s PA – it really is a dream come true.
And I can say that I already know that this Christmas is going to be a jolly one.
Let’s just say Santa is doing everything he can to make sure everyone is going to have a special time.