By Charlie

A Letter To Santa

Written by Charlie O'Shields

Though it’s been a few decades, dear Santa, I thought I would write you a letter tonight just as I did as a child. You might remember me as the blue-eyed kid with an insatiable curiosity who asked for a purple teddy bear one Christmas. That’s likely not enough to narrow it down, but even if you don’t remember me, I remember you. Each night on Christmas Eve I would leave you some cookies and milk, though my dad always insisted that you’d prefer a Coors Light. I’m not sure why he thought that, but I stuck with milk as I knew you had to drive all night. Well, fly really, which how cool is that? That sounds like a blast, but I’m sure you get tired of it, just as one grows weary of a morning commute. I hope you know that you brought me a lot of happiness and I know you still do the same for kids all over the world. Thanks for that. The world has changed a lot since I was little, Santa, and it can use extra happiness now more than ever.

There are so many things I wished I’d asked you back then when I was so busy worrying about what gifts I might get. It all seems a bit one-sided and selfish now and I never got to know you at all, but I guess you’re used to that. I won’t bore you with the obvious questions you no doubt have been asked a million times, like do reindeer manage to make it through the entire flight without pooping? You’re not obliged to answer that, though really, it’s a concerning thought if they don’t. Nor will I ask why you left the rest of society to live with a bunch of elves, as that’s really none of my business. I’m sure you had your reasons. And, of course, I won’t insult you with the question of how you manage to fit down a chimney with your impressive girth. At least that’s how you’ve been illustrated. Probably just wickedly assumed because of all the cookies you must eat in a single night. You could actually be as thin as a rail and have the metabolism of a hummingbird. If that’s true, then I envy that bit about you now even more than the flying reindeer.

No, the question I wanted to ask is a far simpler one, dear Santa. What you do you want for Christmas? I would have left you more than cookies had I ever known. I mean, what do you get for the guy who makes everything? If I had to guess, you’d want something rather simple, yet something even your elves couldn’t make. So, I’ve made you this little illustration I call a doodlewash. It’s nothing much at all, but it comes from the heart. As you sail across the sky each year, you probably see a million things that none of us would have ever known existed. You’ve seen the homes of the richest and poorest children of the world. And you managed to do what many of us struggle to do and that’s to treat everyone equally. At least, that’s how you make them feel. The simplest gift, after all, is hope. A feeling that can’t be wrapped, but glows in each of us as we open every little present we receive. I now have friends across the globe, so if you could manage it, please send them all my love as you sail past. No matter what holiday we celebrate, love is something we can all believe in.

Sincerely yours,

charlie signature

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Quinacridone Red, Yellow Ochre, Leaf Green, Terra Cotta, Cobalt Blue and Payne’s Gray.  Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book.
  #WorldWatercolorGroup - Day 24 - Cookies For Santa - Doodlewash

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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68 thoughts on “A Letter To Santa”

      1. Aww, bless you! That’s awesome. I wish I still got that excited. Alas, it’s been a while since anyone took me upstairs to play games, ho ho 😉 Hope it has lived up to the hype!

        Reply

  8. Merry Christmas Charlie and Philippe,,such a wonderful story Charlie I have tears because it is true above everything we all need hope..thank you for your wonderful stories and for creating this place..💖

    Reply

  13. Oooh…it’s beautiful Charlie, and it put a huge smile on my face! Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for the gifts you send to us every single day! Hugs to you and to yours, may all of your Christmas wishes come true. 🙂

    Reply

  14. This post is so thoughtful. It brought tears to my eyes. The world is definitely changing but, thankfully, because of you, I have friends around the globe too. You have given me the greatest gift of all when I needed the most. I love the painting and I know Santa does too.

    Reply

    1. Aww, I’m so thrilled to have met you June and say that I’m also one of those friends around the globe. 😃💕 Thanks for bringing beauty into the world with your wonderful watercolors! I very Merry Christmas to you!

      Reply

  17. Charlie,

    That’s the most beautiful letter to Santa I’ve ever read.

    I have not been on the computer, and even now am on ‘light duty’ but I
    could not let another minute pass without saying Merry Christmas to you and yours.
    Next week I will get caught up on all the wonderful doodlewashes.
    This site a grand gift to all who open its doors. Thank you!

    Sarah

    I love that painting. It feels like home.

    Reply

  26. I loved the bit about your Dad thinking Santa would prefer a Coors. Hmm, wonder what your Dad drinks?? It does kinda remind me of the year I was 7 – I’d figured out Santa but didn’t let on to my parents, insisting on leaving not only a mince pie and sherry on the dining room table (my grandmother was in my room and I was sleeping in the dining room), but also a bowl of water, soap and towel to wash his sooty hands before eating. In the morning the soap was not in the soap dish but right on the polished wood surface !!LEAVING A MARK!! – no, Mom, not me. Santa. Seriously. Never touched the soap. Santa. My Mom’s mood tainted Christmas that year and I guess I’ll never know whether it was her or my Dad that messed up when leaving my gifts.

    Reply

  32. Of all the fantabulous daily posts this month, this one rises to the favorite Doodlewash and thoughts! You are an endearing combination of childlike wonder and adult practicality. Within this post of wit and wisdom lies a valuable lesson for all. Thank-you!

    Reply

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