By Marcus Uhe
Langwarrin real estate agent Austin Phillips is turning the tables on the traditional Christmas letter system.
Rather than having kids write to Santa with a list of present requests, Phillips is ensuring the children receive correspondence from the North Pole with a personalised letter from old Saint Nick himself.
Parents and guardians submit the first and last name of their children, along with their address, to Phillips’ office at the gateway shopping centre in Langwarrin before Austin and his wife Tania pay a special visit to some lucky kids, or deliver the return letter in the mail.
“If we get a lot, my wife and I drive around and knock on the door and I tell them that I know Santa and I have a letter to deliver to them,” Phillips said.
“We tell them that they’ve been a really good girl or boy, and they’re just so excited.”
The letters inform the kids that Santa and his team of helpers in including Mrs Claus, the elves and the reindeer have been busy getting ready for Christmas and are excited to visit the child’s house.
“Everyone here at the North Pole is buzzing with excitement and working very hard to make sure all our treasures and treats will be finished on time for our special Chirstmas Eve delivery run,” the letter says.
“Make sure to go to bed nice and early on Christmas Eve, that way you will have all the energy you need for Christmas Day.”
Each letter contains the child’s name three times and includes their suburb to further personalise the message.
Each reindeer is also all mentioned by name and the kids are encouraged to leave out a treat for them on Christmas Eve to replenish their energy on their long journey.
With three grandchildren all three-years-old and younger, Phillips has the big responsibility of filling in for Santa on Christmas morning, a role he also took on at former workplaces.
This is the fourth year he has used his contacts at the North Pole to deliver letters, expanding from just Langwarrin to include Cranbourne and surrounding suburbs.
Requests must be made by Friday 17 December to ensure the return letter is delivered before the big day.
Head to Phillips’ office at Ray White Langwarrin, or post the letter to 5b/230 Frankston-Cranbourne Road, Langwarrin, titled Att: Santa Letter.
