Santa Claus Answers Letters from German Town

Santa Claus Answers Letters from German Town

A town in Germany is celebrating Christmas early by answering letters from children around the world form a special post office.
Santa is there as part of what has become an annual event in Himmelpfort, northern Germany. Last year, Santa and 20 of his helpers answered 277,200 letters from 64 countries.

More than 10,000 of last year's letters were from outside of Germany, with many from places as far away as Taiwan, Indonesia, Peru, and South Africa.

Letters are answered in a number of different languages including English, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Polish, Chinese, and also in braille. Each letter also gets a special Sanata Postmark too.

"Santa" has been writing letters from Himmelpfort since 1984, when two letters addressed to Santa arrived at the local post office. Himmelpfort means Heaven's gate, and two children, from Berlin and Saxony, thought that Santa might live there.

Post office workers didn't want to just send the letters back to the children, which is what usually happens to letters that don't have a correct address.

Letters for Santa's Himmelpfort post office can be sent to : An den Weihnachtsmann, Weihnachtspostfiliale, 16798, Himmelpfort, Germany.

Every letter that arrives in Himmelpfort before December 15 will be answered and returned before Christmas day. Just don't forget to include a return address!



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Voca

special 

ˈspɛʃəl
better, greater, or different from normal

-The store is offering special discounts today.
-Today is a very special day for the company.
-I finally found someone special to spend time with.
-He's a special person.

annual

ˈænjuːəl
taking place once per year

-According to the annual report, the company is doing well.
-Our company supports an annual event to raise money for cancer research.
-Our annual bake sale will be held on Wednesday.
-My annual income is stedaily increasing.

braille

breɪl
a reading system for blind people that uses bumps which can be read by touching the paper

-His latest novel is also abailable in braille.

postmark 

ˈpoʊstmɑːrk
an official mark on a letter, package, etc. that shows where and when it was posted

-The envelope had a Washington D.C. postmark on it.

local 

ˈloʊkəl
relating to an area or place that one lives or is talking about

-The bread from my local bakery is excellent.
-They play in the local girl's soccer league.
-We are working together with the local government to protect the environment.
-Our company has local branch offices all over the country.

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Discussion


1. What are your thoughts on Santa's post office in Himmelpfort?

It sounds sweet! I'd like to send a letter too.

2. Did you ever write a letter to Santa when you were a kid? If so, what did you ask for?

well... I don't think so. but now I'd like to send a letter to Santa.
I'd like to ask for hope and smile.

3. If you had kids, would you encourage them to write letters to Santa? Why? Why not?

Of course, I will. and I might be translate it to English.
because there is no helper who can speak Korean.

4. What was the best Christmas present you ever received? Who was it from?

My best Christmas present... was earrings and musical tickets.
It was from my boyfriend. he was kind person. I didn't like him that much...
but still it was best gift

5. What is your favorite thing about Christmas? Please explain your answer.

hmmm... I just like the moment when I spend with my lovers.
family, friends, whoever I like.
eat delicious food, drink something, watch and talk... music
everything is great.



6. What holidays do you look forward to the most? Why?

7. What is the most important holiday in your country? Why do you think that is?

8. Do you enjoy shopping for presents? Why? Why not?

9. Are there any holidays that you dislike? Please explain your answer.

10. There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child. – Erma Bombeck. What was your favorite holiday when you were a kid?