Classical Stuff You Should Know 291: J.R.R. Tolkien's "Letters from Father Christmas"
Dec 23, 2025
Discover Tolkien's charming legacy through his illustrated letters to children as Father Christmas. Explore the intriguing history distinguishing Father Christmas from the modern Santa Claus. Hear about personal family traditions and the magic behind Tolkien's whimsical storytelling, which often stemmed from bedtime tales. Uncover how his letters foreshadowed themes found in his larger works. Finally, reflect on the joy of creating unique family holiday rituals versus embracing mass-produced customs.
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Tolkien's First Father Christmas Postcard
- J.R.R. Tolkien began writing illustrated postcards as "Father Christmas" to his three-year-old son John in 1920.
- The first postcard shows Father Christmas, his snowy house, and a short, playful message about bringing toys to Oxford.
The 1925 Polar Bear Catastrophe
- The famous 1925 letter tells of a polar bear breaking the North Pole and ruining Father Christmas's house.
- Tolkien illustrated the chaos with a large picture and added a polar bear postscript written in a thick, paw-like hand.
Two Years Of Northern Lights
- In 1926 Tolkien wrote that the North Polar Bear accidentally set off two years' worth of northern lights fireworks.
- He drew an elaborate, colorful depiction of the aurora that he admits he was "too shaky" to paint properly.