As the holiday season is in full swing, children and families in Mount Dora and beyond are eagerly writing their messages to Santa Claus. For local kids, the “Letters to Santa” project, organized by Linda and Jeanette Bokland, has become an annual tradition, but the deadline is quickly approaching.

Each year, kids are invited to drop off their letters to Santa in a certified mailbox, headed straight to the North Pole. However, the Boklands have taken an extra step by ensuring that the children receive a delightful response from none other than Mrs. Claus herself.

Like Santa’s workshop, the mailbox has been bustling with activity as letters continue to pour in. Already, more than 400 letters have been turned in.

The “Letters to Santa” project was never initially intended to receive letters for Santa Claus. Five years ago, the Boklands decorated their home for Christmas, adorning it with a prop Santa mailbox for decoration. To their surprise, letters began mysteriously appearing from children who wished to ensure their letters reached Santa himself.

“We thought it would be adorable to respond to these kids from Mrs. Claus, and it just escalated from there,” Linda says.

Team Elf, a group of volunteers that help the Boklands, take their time each year to write responses to all the children, then stamps them with a certified emblem from the North Pole. Kids who turn their letters in before the deadline receive their letter from Mrs. Claus before Christmas.

This year, the deadline to turn in your letters is December 20th at the Boklands’ residence, located at 201 W. 11th St. in Mount Dora. Participants should be sure to include a return mailing address, but postage is not necessary.