The Postal Museum Christmas exhibition reveals British children’s letters to Santa from years gone by

The spectres of Christmas past present themselves from this month at London’s Postal Museum with their programme of Christmas exhibits now on show. It’s a chance not only to discover the history of the postal service during their busiest time of the year but it also offers a glimpse into the shopping habits of yesteryear.

One of the most talked about exhibits comes in the form of a series of letters on display addressed to Santa from British children across history. Going as far back as 1963, it’s a chance for museum visitors to see what were the most sought after Christmas gifts for children across the decades. Are the requests from children to Santa in the 1970s wholly different to those of the 1990s and how do they compare to today’s wishlists?

The Postal Museum will also display the world’s very first Christmas card which was sent 178 years ago.It was Queen Victoria who sent the first official Christmas card, before Sir Henry Cole, who among other things was an assistant to Sir Rowland Hill in the introduction of the penny post and the first Director of the V&A, commissioned the first commercial Christmas card in 1843.

The initial print run was for 1000 cards. Designed by painter John Callcott Horsley, cards were printed lithographically and then hand-coloured by the professional colourer Mason. Cole used as many of these cards as he required and sold the rest for one shilling each under the pseudonym Felix Summerly.

There will be a host of festive activities on offer at the museum as part of the ticket price too, including Make Your Own Holiday Cards, Design Your Own Gift Wrap and Tags and Make Your Own Festive Sack as visitors make their way to the exhibits on a special festive themed Mail Ride. This miniature rail service at the museum will shuffle families and friends back between exhibits and the Sorted! Postal Play Space.

When will The Postal Museum’s Christmas programme begin?

The Postal Musuem’s array of Christmas exhibits and activities have begun already, and will continue to run until early January 2023. You can visit The Postal Museum in London by tube with Farringdon, Russell Square, King’s Cross St Pancras and Chancery Laneless than a mile away or using bus services 17, 19, 38, 45, 46, 55, 63, 341 which all have stops nearby..

For those looking to take a taxi or to drive, you can enter 15-20 Phoenix Place, London, WC1X 0DA into your SatNav system or taxi riding app. Be warned though, if you’re planning to drive to The Postal Museum there is no dedicated car park for visitors to use. Opening hours for The Postal Museum are Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Where can I get tickets to The Postal Museum’s Christmas events?

Tickets to The Postal Museum range from £16 for adults and £9 for children, when booking online. Tickets are available through The Postal Museum’s online booking form - those who hold a National Art Pass can get a 50% discount on tickets.

More information on the National Art Pass scheme can be found on its official website.