Kids: Drop Your Letters In Santa's Mailbox in Manhattan Beach
Dec 11, 2020 09:48AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Kids, if you're hoping to send a message to Santa, you're in luck. Santa has placed a magical mailbox in Manhattan Beach, and if you leave him a letter there with your home address, his elves will make sure you get a personal response.
The mailbox is located at the corner of Mathews and Aviation in Manhattan Beach. If you visit the mailbox after 5:00 p.m., you'll probably see some magical snow flurries that appear every 15 minutes or so.
Tori Schrader, whose yard is home to the mailbox, said that her idea was to provide a engaging and interactive Christmas activity for kids.
"I sat and thought, 'How can I make Christmas interactive, like
Halloween?' Then the mailbox idea was born," she said. "Having a background in large
event production with my company and working for theme parks, creating
events, and shows, it only made sense to 'go big or go home' - even if it
was just in my front yard."
The mailbox project is actually in its second year at Schrader's home. Last year, the mailbox received 40 letters from kids - including some from as far away as Inglewood and San Pedro.
Schrader and her husband Eric designed return letters on high-quality paper with flourishes like a red wax seal. Then the Schraders and other volunteers - some in elf costumes, and one in an inflatable Santa costume - hand-delivered the responses from Santa.
This year, the mailbox is even busier, with 40 letters received to date. Schrader notes that this year the "magic was made brighter" by adding the evening snowstorm (made from tiny soap bubbles) next to the mailbox. (She also notes that if anyone wants to leave a letter for an elf, they will respond as well. The team is still planning the logistics for all of the letter deliveries, but Schrader promises that everyone will get a response before Christmas eve morning.
Sponsored by a 'Magic Fund'
Schrader is a natural at creating fun events for kids and families. She formerly worked at Disneyland and now has a live entertainment company, Enchanted Celebrations, which is known for
singing princesses and other characters that appear at events and
places like the L.A. Zoo, the Belasco Theater, and more.
During the pandemic, the company is
offering virtual one-on-one calls with characters, virtual craft classes
and pre-recorded videos at cost.
"We
make sure that every performer and employee has been put through
extensive training to make the magic happen not just for the small
guests but for the kids at heart too," said Schrader.
Enchanted Celebrations also has a "Magic Fund" that accepts donations to fund free and discounted events for the community as well as in hospitals, libraries, schools; and special visits for children and families battling unique hardships.
The mailbox project is being sponsored by the Magic Fund. To contribute to the cause, visit the Magic Fund at Enchanted Celebrations.
