Covid-19 cannot stop letters to Santa
The Christmas Cottage, located at 47 Eleventh Avenue, is owned by Kruger who makes sure every year that her red letterbox is placed in her yard for the children to write letters to Mr and Mrs Claus when they visit to see the lights on her premises.
Northmead resident Madeline Kruger is set on bringing the magic of Christmas to children every year, and this year, not even Covid-19 can stop her from delivering the young ones’ letters to Santa and Mrs Claus.
The Christmas Cottage, located at 47 Eleventh Avenue, is owned by Kruger who ensures every year that her red letterbox is placed in her yard for the children to write letters to Mr and Mrs Claus when they visit to see the lights on her premises.
“It started about 12 years ago when the children came to see the lights and one left a letter,” she said.
“It saddened me that this child was not going to get a response.”
This sparked the idea for Kruger to deliver the letters to Mr and Mrs Claus for a response.
“In the past, I used to get the letters posted, but in recent years I delivered them, as long as it was local deliveries (Benoni and Boksburg).”
The resident said if she received a letter from someone who did not live within close proximity, she ensured the letter was posted.
This year, however, due to Covid-19 restrictions, no physical letters may be posted to Santa but children may still write a letter to Santa and WhatsApp a picture of that letter, and Mother Christmas will still answer all the letters – via WhatsApp.
Santa’s cell number is 073 993 8456.
“One year, 100 letters were received and Santa ensured all letters were responded to.”
Kruger said Christmas is her favourite part of the year and prepping the outside of her house for the lights viewing takes a day.
“I went to America in 2000 and bought icicles, I came back and bought various other items and then in 2001 I started putting up Christmas lights around the house,” she said.
“My son-in-law, his father and my neighbour come to me at 5am to put the lights on the roof, and then we work towards the ground.
“There are not several plugs, the lights plug into a DB board.”
She also said in recent years the Top Dogs (therapy dogs) are also present at the light viewing to educate those who pass by.
The lights will be on display this year from December 5 to December 31 from 7.30pm to 10pm, weather depending.
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