Tis the season for 'round the clock toy commercials -- the annual brigade of gadgets and widgets that entice our kids to say "Mom, can I have that?"  Yes, just two more winks and the kids will begin writing their letters to you-know-who.

Helping our kids write that letter is the least we can do to help make their wishes come true.  As honorary helpers, we have a close and personal relationship with the "big guy," so we know just how important these letters are to him and the elves.  Here are ways that you can incorporate some literacy into the fun of putting together a "Dear Santa" request.

Use Pictures.  Every Sunday from now until the end of the year, the newspaper will be filled with sale pages.  Several of the big-box stores have catalogs that are filled with nothing but toys.  Grab a pair of safety scissors, a marker or pencil, and let the kids have fun.  Once the lists are created, hang them on the refrigerator so that they can see them every day...until it's time to mail them.

Toddlers and Preschoolers
 
  • Cut out -- or let your kids cut out -- the pictures of the items they want.
  • Glue the pictures to a piece of paper, lining them up so that you have room to write next to, or under, them.
  • Write a one-word description next to, or under, the picture.  For example, if your daughter picked out a baby doll, write the word "doll" next to it.

Kindergarten through Second Grade
 
  • Let your children cut out the pictures of the items they want and glue them to a piece of paper.
  • For each picture, ask your children to write the name of the item and a short sentence about why they want this toy.
 
Let them Write.  While kids are developing as readers, they are still writing short sentences and learning how to put their words onto paper.
 
  • Be a copycat.  Once kids can put letters together as words, having them copy them is a great way to practice writing, build vocabulary, and reinforce spelling.  By second grade, kids understand sentence structure and punctuation.
  • If your children aren't familiar with letter form, create a sample for them with "Dear Santa," and then show them where the first sentence goes.  That will get them started, and then they can write a couple of sentences for their opening. 
  • Grabbing that toy catalog again, let your kids pick the item(s) they want.  Instead of cutting out pictures, though, ask them to write the name of the object -- and add a few sentences about why they want this.
  • Write from scratch.  By third grade, kids have mastered the basics of writing.  Their spelling may not be perfect, but they can convey more complex thoughts.  If your children are comfortable writing, let them write the letter from scratch.
 
If your child is an older sibling who has an honorary elf card, you can mix and match any of these ideas together.  Instead of you writing the words, ask your daughter to help her little brother.  After all, that is the kind of thing that Santa likes to see!