Our Last Letters to Santa

My heart feels a strong nostalgic feeling when I glance at the Christmas tree lit up decorated festively watching holiday movies, drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows being covered in blankets surrounded by the people I love. The season of Christmas has now changed for those getting closer to adulthood. To celebrate Christmas and a year closer to adulthood seniors have written a letter to Santa in hopes it will successfully get safely to Santa’s hands.

Before, our letters to Santa were about the types of toys we wanted: dolls, toy cars, action figures, drones, stuffed animals, everything a kid could ask for.  The letters we have written to Santa successfully made it to the North Pole in front of his door. Now as time has passed our letters to Santa have changed. Instead of asking for toys and games we ask that Santa will accept our letters one more time despite our age. 

Dear Santa,

I remember sitting down at the kitchen table writing many letters to you over the years about the kind of dolls I wanted. My biggest worry was whether I was on the naughty or nice list or one day waking up to coal in my stocking. When I look back, I see how much I have changed in ways my younger self would have never imagined. Instead of wishing for dolls, I wish for something that can’t be put underneath the tree or wrapped in a pretty bow. What I hope for now is a future that provides me with the support and love that I need to get through this next phase in my life. I hope to feel at peace with my life as I transition into something my younger self was not prepared for. Even though I am not the same little girl anymore, I wish to carry the feeling you gave me when I was writing these letters to you.

Sincerely, senior Madeleine Galicia

Dear Santa,

I don’t know if you’ll still get my letters now that I’m older, but I needed to write one more. Thank you for all the years of magic, for the joy of waking up to surprises, and for teaching me to believe in something bigger than myself. Growing up is harder than I thought–it’s a world without reindeer bells or cookie crumbs by the fireplace. But I promise to keep the magic alive, even if it’s just by remembering how it felt to believe in you.

Love always, senior Juan Avila

Dear Santa,

please give another year of happiness to my family, they do so much for me and deserve the world. I wish Christmas looked as cheerful and vibrant as it did when I was 7 years old. I miss exchanging gifts while taking in the warm cinnamon smell. All I want for Christmas is for love to be expressed and experienced for everyone who does not  receive that daily. I’ve been contemplating this year if I’ve been a good or bad person, but I’m realizing that I’m just growing up. Santa, will you still watch over me if I don’t believe like I used to? 

Sincerely, senior Beyonce Thomas

Dear Santa,

I think that I have done a good job at behaving this year and I think I deserve to be on the nice list. So this year I wanna ask for a new baseball bat and I want a really nice big dog too that i can name peanut 🙂 anyways Santa I hope I can wake up to these under my tree and thank you for taking care of my family this year

From: senior lan Perez Acosta

P.S i hope you like the Oreos i leave by the chimney

Dear Santa,

It’s been some time since you last heard from me but I still remember writing to you and all the special things I would get in return such as memories, loved ones, and another year of holiday spirit, I want to ask for that one more time as you never know when feelings like that will end thank you.

Sincerely,  senior Richard Tapia

Dear Santa,

It has been a while since I have written a letter to you, you have brought a sense of wonder, curiosity and magic to me. Throughout the years you have taught me that it is possible to believe without seeing, you have brought happiness to and memories to my family. I am sure you can remember the amount of times I stayed up to try and catch you, obviously that did not work out…someday you will be caught, even if it’s by my own children. Thank you for everything you have given me, you are a sweet memory to me.

All love, senior Georgina Bolanos 

Christmas time is the most nostalgic season for some of us, the memories and excitement we had as children will always stay with us. Writing Santa’s letters and leaving cookies, carrots and milk is a core memory for us when we were kids. Soon it will be our turn to sit next to our daughters and sons helping them write their letters to Santa.