In the village of Rajecká Lesná, located in the Žilina Region, the Christmas spirit is already in the air. This is where the official residence and main post office of the Slovak “Santa Claus”—Ježiška—are located. This year, Slovenská pošta has once again launched its traditional Vianočná pošta project, which allows children and adults to send letters with their wishes and receive a reply.
This campaign is one of the most beloved Christmas traditions in Slovakia and has become, for many, a harbinger of the year’s most important holidays. The project is now in its 28th year, and during that time, Ježiško has received nearly three million letters. Last year alone, he received about 127,000 letters not only from Slovakia but also from 42 countries around the world.
How to Send a Letter
To ensure your message reaches its recipient, there are a few simple rules to follow. Letters and drawings are accepted until December 16, 2026—this is the deadline so that Ježiško can reply in time for the holidays.
What to include on the envelope or postcard:
Recipient: 999 99 Ježiško
Return address: Be sure to write your first name, last name, and address; otherwise, you won’t receive a reply.
You can send your letter from any Slovenská pošta branch or simply drop it in a regular mailbox. Both special Christmas postcards from the post office and any other cards—even handmade ones—are acceptable. The main thing is to affix a stamp.
Best Drawing Contest
In addition to a letter with their wishes, children can send a drawing on a separate sheet of paper. Each drawing automatically enters the annual contest. Next year, the winning drawing will adorn the official Christmas postage stamp, which will be distributed around the world.
This year, the designer of the holiday stamp was 11-year-old Verka Sudorova from the village of Dunajská Lužná. Her drawing was selected by a special committee from among thousands of entries.
What Do Children Ask for in Their Letters?
Ježiško’s helpers say that most often, children ask for toys, cell phones, and popular dolls. But there are also some unusual wishes. For example, last year, one child dreamed of a live horse, and another of a goose.
Anyone who provides a return address will receive a reply. Ježiško responds not only in Slovak but also in English and in Braille for children with visual impairments. This is a wonderful opportunity to treat yourself and your loved ones to a little Christmas magic.
