CTT – Correios de Portugal is once again receiving thousands of letters addressed to Santa Claus at this time of year, in an initiative that celebrates 40 years of existence and seeks to preserve the tradition of writing and the Christmas spirit.

The initiative arose from the spontaneity of children who, in the 1980s, left letters for Santa Claus in mailboxes. In 1985, CTT decided to start responding to all of them — a tradition that continues to this day "with great pride". These letters have a unique characteristic: they are the only ones that can circulate without a stamp.

Every year, CTT (the Portuguese postal service) sets up a veritable "Santa's office," mobilising a team dedicated exclusively to ensuring that each child receives a personalised response, keeping the Christmas spirit alive.

For 2025, it is estimated that around 170,000 letters will arrive. However, CTT reminds children that it is essential to include the sender's address so that a reply can be sent.

For many children, this is also their first contact with writing a traditional letter, a gesture that, despite increasing digitalisation, remains one of the most genuine symbols of Christmas.