Letters From Father Christmas

Letters From Father Christmas is a charming collection of letters J.R.R. Tolkien wrote and illustrated for his own children every Christmas, beginning in 1920 and continuing for over twenty years. Posing as Father Christmas, Tolkien meticulously crafted a vibrant, fantastical world at the North Pole.

The letters recount a humorous annual chronicle of adventures and mishaps. The chief narrator is the kind, though often exasperated, Father Christmas himself, whose shaky handwriting and detailed watercolour illustrations lend authenticity to the correspondence. A main recurring character is the North Polar Bear (Karhu), an accident-prone but lovable assistant whose blunders cause perennial chaos—from falling through the roof of Father Christmas’s home to breaking the Moon into four pieces.

Over the years, the stories grow in complexity, introducing other helpers like the Elf Ilbereth and even chronicling battles against menacing Goblins trying to steal the toys. The later letters also subtly reflect real-world events, referencing the Great Depression and the shortages caused by World War II.

Posthumously published and edited by Baillie Tolkien, the collection is a touching testament to Tolkien’s devotion as a father, showcasing his remarkable imagination, artistic talent, and ability to sustain a decades long family tradition.

Dates of January 1st indicate that the exact day of the year is not known.