Today, we celebrated Brenia’s birthday with a holiday make ‘n bake party for her friends. We baked cookies, cupcakes and more holiday treats. I made a Gingerbread House cake—using our well-loved castle cake pan. We crafted homemade ornaments, festive candles and wrote letters to Santa.

I love writing to Santa! This is the perfect opportunity for my girls to think long and hard about their behavior—afterall, this is their one chance to pitch for the Nice List. It’s also a great time to get a sneak peek at exactly what they’re wishing for each year. I have often read that little surprise request I wouldn’t otherwise have known about.

Like the time Brenia wrote to Santa, saying she loves that he always leaves a stuffed animal in her stocking and hopes it will be a Webkinz this year. Um, I never realized a stuffed animal in the stocking was a recognized tradition—but you better believe Santa has never forgotten it once he read her letter!

Santa will even send a letter back to your child—there are many options for North Pole mail. My girls often get a letter from Santa courtesy of Holiday World. Downtown Indy visitors can get a reply as well—drop your letter to Santa off in the special box on the Circle, include a return address and Santa will send a letter to you!

For a little more personalization, there are a variety of services that will send a custom letter to your child. Santa-Claus.com is probably one of the most flexible, for the price. For $8.95, you get a personalized letter from Santa, complete with up to 12 personal references, a Christmas Eve checklist door hanger and optional access to “Santa’s Secret Website.”

Have your kids written to Santa yet?