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emailSanta.com is a Christmas-themed entertainment website run by Alan Kerr which simulates emailing Santa Claus.cite-ref-1[1] It also provides various other Christmas-themed simulations. Users compose their letter by filling out a blank form, then the website responds with a computer-generated letter which claims to be from Santa Claus. The site also includes a simulated video call for users to "see Santa live", where a pre-recorded video of an actor would be shown prior to the reply letter. From the website's inception, letters which contain pleas for help were directed to a special page, which lists online resources for assistance and counselling helplines. In extreme circumstances, the police have also been contacted.cite-ref-2[2]

• History

• Reception

• Criticism

• References

• External links

When a 1997 Canada Post workers strike prevented their volunteers from responding to his niece and nephews letters to Santa Claus, Kerr created emailSanta.com as an online alternative.cite-ref-3[3]cite-ref-4[4] During the first two weeks of the site's existence, emailSanta.com received over 1,000 emails.cite-ref-5[5]cite-ref-6[6]

In 2011, the website was incorporated in Alberta, Canada as emailSanta.com Inc.

In a 2021 letter to the Search Engine Journal, Kerr noted the declining traffic of his website.cite-ref-7[7] However, Kerr reported that traffic increased by 35% following another Canada Post strikecite-ref-8[8] in 2024.

emailSanta.com has received mixed reviews from a variety of sources. Both Kerr and the website have received compliments and praise from TheStreet and Mamamia.cite-ref-9[9]cite-ref-3-10-0[10] It has also been noted for teaching children about the importance of online safety.cite-ref-11[11] In 2002, Wired reported that Mummert Consulting, a German market-research company, had been evaluating Santa websites and that "the top site on the list was EmailSanta.com" for two years, specifically citing the personalization that kids receive in response.cite-ref-12[12]

On Christmas Eve in 2013, Nicholas Tufnell from Wired stated that "[t]he design leaves a lot to be desired (it's very late 1990s), but it's perfectly functional". He sent an email through the website and noted that "[t]he response [from Santa] is pleasant enough, if a little vague. It may excite children, but we're not convinced." He also remarked that the email came across as "obsequious", while the website's practice of having Santa type out "*wink*" was "unsettling".cite-ref-0-13-0[13]

cite-note-11. ↑ citerefnewsweek-staff2004Newsweek Staff (November 28, 2004). "How do you E-Mail the Big Man?". Newsweek.

cite-note-22. ↑ "Calgary Santa receives wishes and cries for help in emails from around the world". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2020-08-20.

cite-note-33. ↑ citerefdepalma1997Depalma, Anthony (November 26, 1997). "Weeklong Postal Workers' Strike Snarls Deliveries in Canada". New York Times.

cite-note-44. ↑ citerefbraid1998Braid, Don (December 8, 1998). "Internet Santa rekindles magic". The Calgary Sun. p. 4.

cite-note-55. ↑ "Meet the People Who Respond to Emails to Santa Claus". Vice.com. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 2020-08-19.

cite-note-66. ↑ citerefbaird2004Baird, Kirk (December 13, 2004). "He's Got Mail: Kids find that e-mailing Santa is more fun than using snail mail". Las Vegas Sun.

cite-note-77. ↑ citerefwright2021Wright, Tony (2021-12-08). "Is Google Trying To Erase Santa? The Curious Case Of EmailSanta.com". Search Engine Journal. Retrieved 2022-12-26.

cite-note-88. ↑ citerefbrennanBrennan, Noah. "Calgary-based Santa emailing website sees renewed interest amid postal strike, founder says". Calgary Herald. Post Media. Retrieved 6 December 2024.

cite-note-99. ↑ citerefbrownell2011Brownell, Matt (22 December 2011). "The Best Ways to Get a Hold of Santa". The Street. TheStreet, Inc. Retrieved 22 December 2011.

cite-note-3-1010. ↑ "This is how my kids email Santa and get a reply. And it's free". Mamamia. December 8, 2017.

cite-note-1111. ↑ citerefo-brienO'Brien, Ciara. "EmailSanta.com puts kids in touch Tech tools: Website allows youngsters to contact Santa Claus while also educating them on internet safety". Irishtimes.com. The IrishTimes. Retrieved 15 December 2022.

cite-note-1212. ↑ citerefkettmannKettmann, Steve. "Dear Santa: You've Got E-Mail". Wired.com. Condé Nast. Retrieved 30 November 2002.

cite-note-0-1313. ↑ citereftufnellTufnell, Nicholas. "Don't email Santa, it's disappointing". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-04-26.

• Official website