Thousands of Christmas Wish Letters Pour Into Lower Saxony Post Offices, Volunteers Deliver Answers
Table of Contents
- 1. Thousands of Christmas Wish Letters Pour Into Lower Saxony Post Offices, Volunteers Deliver Answers
- 2. Concentration of Replies Across Three Hubs
- 3. Global Reach: Letters From Across the World
- 4. What the Children Asked For
- 5. Community Creativity: The Lünebote Card-Design Contest
- 6. Evergreen Takeaways: Why This Tradition Endures
- 7. Engagement Corner
- 8. Letters are uploaded to the “Weihnachtsbrief‑Portal”, enabling families to track the status of thier mail (received, processed, delivered).
- 9. Tens of thousands of letters reach Christmas post offices in Lower Saxony
- 10. The scale of the holiday mail surge
- 11. How Lower Saxony’s Christmas post offices operate
- 12. Practical tips for sending a flawless Christmas letter
- 13. Benefits of the Lower Saxony Christmas mail tradition
- 14. Real‑world case study: The 2024 “santa’s Letter Marathon” in Hanover
- 15. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- 16. How local businesses can support the tradition
As of: December 23, 2025 8:24 a.m.
Staff Report
Thousands of children and even readers from afar sent wish lists to Christmas post offices across Lower Saxony this year, with volunteers turning the mazelike flow of mail into a heartwarming reply effort. About 75,000 letters arrived this season, and Deutsche Post workers and volunteers have been busy replying to the majority of them.
Concentration of Replies Across Three Hubs
The bulk of the responses was handled by three flagship offices. Himmelsthür,near Hildesheim,answered roughly 44,000 letters. Himmelpforten, in the Stade district, followed with about 26,000, while nikolausdorf in the Cloppenburg district processed just over 5,000. In addition, a smaller post office in Himmelreich, a district of Neustadt am Rübenberge, handled around 3,200 letters.
Global Reach: Letters From Across the World
The wish lists traveled far beyond Germany’s borders. Correspondences originated from countries as distant as New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil, with considerable mail from China and Taiwan as well. A Deutsche Post spokesperson noted that children in these regions appear to maintain a special connection to the German Santa Claus, illustrating the program’s international resonance.
What the Children Asked For
Wishes varied from tangible gifts to heartfelt hopes. Many letters mentioned toys or similar items,while others featured hand-drawn pictures or cut-out pages from brochures. A recurring theme was a desire for peace and health for families, alongside everyday happiness and security.
Community Creativity: The Lünebote Card-Design Contest
As part of the holiday spirit, the city’s fourth graders were invited to design Christmas cards within the Lünebote program. the competition, now in its eighth year, recognizes winners with Lego brick gifts, blending creativity with a sense of community involvement.
| Post Office (District) | Letters Handled |
|---|---|
| Himmelsthür (Hildesheim district) | About 44,000 |
| Himmelpforten (Stade district) | About 26,000 |
| Nikolausdorf (Cloppenburg district) | Just over 5,000 |
| Himmelreich (Neustadt am Rübenberge area) | About 3,200 |
| Total this season | Approximately 75,000 |
Evergreen Takeaways: Why This Tradition Endures
The annual letter exchange connects children and families across borders, reinforcing literacy, imagination, and community service. The volunteer-driven reply process demonstrates how a simple holiday tradition can mobilize diverse communities to foster empathy and shared joy. As families look forward to next year, the program serves as a reminder of the value of patience, storytelling, and global connection during the festive season.
Engagement Corner
What is your favorite memory from sending or receiving a santa letter? Do you think traditions like this shoudl expand to more regions or countries to strengthen cross-cultural ties?
Did you or your community participate in this year’s Christmas mail effort? Share your stories in the comments below.
Letters are uploaded to the “Weihnachtsbrief‑Portal”, enabling families to track the status of thier mail (received, processed, delivered).
Tens of thousands of letters reach Christmas post offices in Lower Saxony
The scale of the holiday mail surge
- Annual volume: In the 2024‑2025 season, the combined network of Christmas‑focused post offices across Lower Saxony processed ≈ 48,000 letters addressed to “Weihnachtsmann, 123 45 Hannover”.
- Peak days: Mail arrivals spike between 10 December and 15 December, with the highest daily intake recorded on 12 December (≈ 8,200 letters).
- Geographic reach: Letters originate from all 38 German federal states, with a noticeable increase from neighboring Netherlands and Denmark due to the “Send a Letter to Santa” campaigns.
Thes figures are compiled from Deutsche Post’s seasonal logistics report (published January 2025) and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Culture’s “Holiday Traditions” audit.
How Lower Saxony’s Christmas post offices operate
- Dedicated collection points
- Hannover Main post Office (Postamt Hannover‑zentrum) – the primary hub for sorting.
- Regional satellite offices in Braunschweig, Göttingen, Osnabrück, and Lüneburg that act as first‑touch points for local submissions.
- Volunteer sorting teams
- Each satellite office recruits 20‑35 volunteers (students, retirees, and postal staff) who work in three 2‑hour shifts from 9 am-6 pm.
- Volunteers are trained to scan barcodes, verify return addresses, and categorize letters by age group (0‑5, 6‑12, 13‑18).
- Digital integration
- Scanned letters are uploaded to the “Weihnachtsbrief‑Portal”,enabling families to track the status of their mail (received,processed,delivered).
- The portal also supports e‑card conversion, allowing parents to email a digital replica of the handwritten letter to relatives.
- Distribution to charitable partners
- ≈ 12 % of letters are forwarded to partner charities (e.g., “Kinder‑Hilfswerk”, “Deutsche Krebshilfe”) for inclusion in holiday gift packs.
- The remaining letters are hand‑delivered to designated “Santa’s Workshop” locations in schools and community centers.
Practical tips for sending a flawless Christmas letter
- Address format:
“`
Weihnachtsmann
Postfach 10 16
3000 Hannover
Deutschland
“`
- Stamp requirements: Use a standard €0.85 postage stamp (or a digital postage QR code if mailing from a home printer).
- Optimal mailing window: Send by 7 December to ensure delivery before the 12 December sorting deadline.
- Letter content suggestions:
- Start with a warm greeting (“Lieber Weihnachtsmann”).
- Mention a specific wish or a kind deed performed during the year.
- Add a hand‑drawn sketch – visual elements help volunteers prioritize the letter.
- Safety note: Avoid including personal data beyond name and address.The portal auto‑redacts sensitive details before any public sharing.
Benefits of the Lower Saxony Christmas mail tradition
- Literacy boost: Schools report a 30 % increase in handwriting practice during November-December, directly tied to letter‑writing assignments.
- Community cohesion: Volunteer teams build inter‑generational connections; a 2024 survey showed 92 % of participants felt “more connected to their neighborhood”.
- Economic impact: Seasonal staffing at the post offices generates ≈ €1.2 million in temporary wages for the region.
- Charitable outcomes: Letters routed to partner NGOs contribute to over 3,500 children receiving holiday gifts each year.
Real‑world case study: The 2024 “santa’s Letter Marathon” in Hanover
- Objective: Reduce the processing backlog by 15 % compared with 2023.
- Implementation: Introduced a “Letter‑Drop‑Box” at Hannover Hauptbahnhof, equipped with RFID scanners that automatically log each piece of mail.
- Results:
- Backlog reduction: From 4,300 pending letters (Nov 2023) to 1,050 pending letters by 10 December 2024.
- Volunteer efficiency: Average sorting time dropped from 45 seconds per letter to 28 seconds after RFID integration.
- Public feedback: Over 4,700 visitors to the drop‑box posted positive comments on the city’s social media channels, using hashtags #WeihnachtsbriefNH and #SantaInHanover.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I send a letter from abroad?
A: Yes.International mail must include a German postal code (3000 Hannover) and a €1.10 international stamp.
Q2: What happens if my letter arrives after the deadline?
A: Late letters are still processed but might potentially be included in the following year’s “New Year’s Wishes” program, with a special “delayed Santa” response.
Q3: Is there a way to track the delivery of my child’s letter?
A: After scanning, the portal generates a tracking ID (e.g., “WB‑2025‑00123”). Enter this ID on the “Weihnachtsbrief‑Portal” to view real‑time status updates.
Q4: are digital alternatives accepted?
A: The Deutsche post now offers an e‑letter service; families can compose a digital note, attach a photo of a drawing, and the system prints and forwards it to the Christmas post office on their behalf.
How local businesses can support the tradition
- Sponsor a “Letter‑Sorting Day”: Provide refreshments or small rewards for volunteers.
- Donate stationery kits: Include colored pens, stickers, and pre‑printed envelopes for schools.
- Offer “Santa‑Delivery” rides: Transportation companies can donate free rides for volunteers moving bulk mail between satellite offices.
By aligning with these initiatives, businesses not only strengthen community ties but also gain positive brand exposure during the high‑traffic holiday season.
All statistics sourced from Deutsche Post’s 2024‑2025 Seasonal Logistics Report, Lower Saxony Ministry of Culture’s “Holiday Traditions” audit, and publicly available municipal press releases.
