Every year, with my D class students, we will normally send at least one letter to Santa Claus in Lapland around December. The “elves” from the Santa Claus main post office in the Arctic Circle will normally answer; of course, the children don’t believe they will, because “There is no Santa Claus!!!!” (as they say), but they always do, which is lovely!

This year, we have a new student in class, who came from China last summer and used to go to school there. So, we are on a “get to know other countries” mode, and in this context the kids wanted to know more about Finland. So, why not ask Santa Claus?! You know, the good old “let’s ask the locals” Greek policy, instead of doing the homework. But if Santa replies, then voila! There’s the motivation they need to start doing some homework indeed.

Needless to say, the students like to draw Christmasy stuff to go with their letter, and they all sign the letter, which is written by the one with the best handwriting (the choice is theirs).

And this is a very nice picture with a boat; “because we are traditionally a nautical people.” And “the Finns should know it’s not always sunny in Greece.” Don’t you love how innocent and straightforward kids are?