Plenty of laughs are scattered throughout this year’s collection of letters (unedited) to Santa. Check out the first two for an idea of what to expect. Enjoy!

From 1901: Gloversville Daily Leader

Broadalbin.
Dear Santa Claus: — I wish you would bring me a hand sleigh so I can ride down hill.
We live close by a hill where all the girls and boys ride and it is awful aggravating to see all of them riding down hill when I cant ride. I will be very thankful if you will bring me a sleigh and I won’t ask for anything more play things till next Christmas.
Yours With Best Wishes For a Merry Christmass And a Happy New Year, Beulah Fish.

Dear Santa — I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I would like a few things for “Christmas.” I am in need of a Schooner sleigh, and a good-sharp jack-knife, I would like a hobby horse if you can’t afford a real live one. I would be pleased with a tool-chest with a saw, a hatchet and a box of nails in, then I could be a carpenter. I would like a train of cars and all the books you can afford to give me. I want a good big box of candy and nuts, and I guess this will be all. Now please bring me all of these if you can without robbing someone else. Well Good-night santa for this time.
From one of your good boys, Charles E. Clark.

120 North St., Gloversville.
Mr. Santa Claus — Ma said you won’t find us this year because we have moved so far away but I am sure you will so I am going to tell what I want.
I would like a pair of skates, Raglan overcoat, Rubber boots, picture book Game of Doctor Busby. We are not going to have any Christmas tree so I will hang my stocking up behind the stove. Be sure and don’t put my presents into Delbert’s stocking for his will be hanging there to.
Good By from Frankie Grant.

120 North St., Gloversville.
Dear Santa Clau — I would like a picture book and a drum, train of cars, box of Old Maid Game, cap, but I don’t want a toboggan, a bag of nuts with nice flavored candy.
Remember Santa Claus we don’t live on Bloningdale Avenue any more. We live way up on North street by Booth & Co. Mill. When you come, come in the back door because ma keeps the front door locked.
Good-By From Delbert Grant.

7 Caroline St., Gloversville.
Santa Claus — Will you be so kindly and send me a nice doll and a bed for my doll to sleep in. And if you can spare more things Please let me have them. Then I will always be a good girl. Thanking you for the things you will send me.
I remain your Friend, Stella Loewenstein.

27 Newman St., Gloversville.
Dear Old Santa Claus — I thought I would write a few lines to you, before Xmas. My name is Jennie Trevett I live on 27 Newman St. Now Santa Claus I an going to tell you what I want for Christmas. I would like a doll a fary-book. And if you have lots of sledges I would like one very much for I havent one. And I have a little sister her name is Gertrude, Now please don’t for-get to bring her something nice. Now I hope all the little boy’s and girl’s who read this won’t thing I have ask’s for to much. Now Santa please come early.
Good-bye, From Jennie Trevett.
P. S. — I love candy very dearly and I wont be mad if you bring me some with my other presents.

Dear Santa Claus — Please Santa Claus bring me a soldier suit, and a gun, and a soldier hat, and a sword, and a pair of skates, a writing desk, and a pair of leather gaiters. Now Santa Claus Please come in our door the chimney is dirty.
Charley Hemstreet, 5 Grand St.

Dear Santa Claus — I would like to have you bring me a big doll, a new hat, some picture books, some blocks, a sled and for my little brother bring him a suit of clothes, a rocking-horse, a express cart a little horse and wagon and some blocks and a pair of shoes. Please do not come down the chimney for we keep a fire but come in the front door. Good-bye.
Yours Truly, Clara Schute, 17 Fruit St.

Gloversville.
Dear Santa Claus — I have heard you was such a good old fellow I thought maybe you would bring me all I wanted which is not very much as you will see I want a whip to whip my donkey a train of cars a game of checkers a picture book, and now dear Santa hoping you will bring me what I asked for I will close wishing you a merry Christmas and hope your reindeers will have a good rest.
Yours Truly, Mr. Bert Cornell.

Dear Santa — I am so glad you are coming so soon Dear me I want so many things I am afard you can’t bring them all or get down our chimley. I would like you to bring me a doll’s carriage and a doll in it I would like a doll’s head and a piticher books and a bracelet and a ring a ten cent.
Helen Chase.

From 1901: Plattsburgh Daily Press

Lyon Mountain.
My Dear Santa Claus — It is near Christmas. Please don’t forget me. I want a set of dishes, broom and dust pan, and I would like a sled to draw my aunt Frances on. My baby brother, Celest, would like a rubber doll, tin horse and cart. Euclid would like a sled, set of tools and a horn.
Good bye. Charlotte Lamare.

Cumberland Head.
Dear Santa Claus — I am a little girl seven years old, and I go to school almost every day. I thought, perhaps, if the snow was deep, you might not come as the roads are so bad here in winter, but my papap will keep them shoveled out, so please, dear Santa Claus, bring me a doll, a little broom and dust pan, a box of paints and a first reader, if you have them. This is all for this time.
From your little friend, Gertrude Barber.

Ellenburgh.
Dear Old Santa Claus — I am a little boy eight years old, and my name is Cecil Cashman. I go to school every day. I like my teacher very much. Her name is Ruby Baxter. Dear old Santa Claus, don’t forget my brother Raymond, he wants a knife and I want a sled. Come and see me, too. It won’t be long before you will come and see me.
Your friend, Cecil Cashman.

Plattsburgh.
Dear Santa — It is near Christmas, and I would like some cars and shooting gallery, a box of candy and two books, and a box of paints, horn and drum, two games, some toys and a rocking horse, and now old Santa, you are a good old man, if you give me what I ask for. You see, I don’t want much, so if you give me what I want you will be good.
Good bye, Robert Booth, 5 Cumberland Ave.

From 1906: Malone Farmer

Dear Santa Clause: I would like a pair of woolen gloves. If I can’t get a new doll I would like a new head for my old one. I want a doll’s carriage and a set of dishes and a pair of overshoes. I am eight years old.
Jennie Fayette, Chasm Falls, NY

Duane.
Dear Santy Claus: I would like so many things for Christmas I dont dare mention them all. But if I am good you bring me what you think best and I will be satisfied. Only please don’t forget me.
Yours truly, Pearl B. Beyerl

Morrisonville.
Dear Santa Claus: I will write and tell you what I would like to have you bring me Christmas. I would like a new dress, some aprons, a little set of dishes and a dolly. I have only 3 dollys, but one has an arm broke and one leg broke, so I would like one that is not broke at all. Bring something for Gerald and please don’t forget my little Baby sister.
Well, Good Bye dear old Santa. I am your little girl. Florence L. Trim.

Fort Covington.
Dear Santa Claus: I want a five cents ball and a kiss from God and a 1 cent pencil and that is all.
From Vernon Davis.

From 1914: Watertown Daily Times

Black River.
I’m nine years old. I want a doll and some doll clothes, a sewing box, a story book. Do not come down the chimney or you will get burned for my mother has a hot fire.
Ruth Van Dusen.

Brownville.
I am a little boy three years old and my name is Richard Galloway. Please bring me a tool box, snow shovel, a little horn, a drum, gold ring, some little handkerchiefs with some boys and girls on them, a Christmas tree and a little baby brother. Don’t forget daddy and mamma. Wishing you a merry Christmas.
Good bye, Richard Galloway.

Copenhagen.
I am a little boy ten years old. I wish you would bring me an air rifle, a drum and some candy and peanuts. If you bring that it will be enough.
Your friend, Frank Richardson.

Black River.
How is Mrs. Santa Claus? I want a box of blocks and a gun and don’t forget papa and momma. Come early to our house. Bring our cat a mouse, he caught two yesterday. I want sum shoes and sum stockings, to. How old are you? I am a boy eight years old and my name is James Wilson. I wish you a merry Christmas.

From 1918: Norwood News

Dear Santa Claus — Please bring me a train of cars, a cart for my dolly, some nuts and candy, a new blue dress. Bring Baby Edward some teeth. Don’t forget the teeth for my brother, Edward.
Your little friend, Jessie Purves, 3 years old.

From 1918: Black River Democrat

Lowville.
Dear Santa — I have been a good boy. Please bring me a cannon.
Walter Clark.

From 1919: Potsdam Herald-Recorder

Dear Sane Clas — Can I have a dolly & a cradle for Christmas I will be a good girl & wont suck my thumb anymore—Goodbye, Todo Whitney

Potsdam.
Dear Santa Claus — My little sister is ten months old. please bring her something to play with.
Good bye. Lloyd McCarthy.

Dear Santa — Please bring me some presents Anything will do that you have.
with love, Harold Payne.
P. S.: Please bring Dorotty and baby Charles something.

From 1929: Potsdam Herald-Recorder

Dear Santa Claus: I thought I would write you a letter early this year. Will you please send me a pair of tubler skates and an erector set and a pair of boxing gloves, and a mouth organ and a game and a Tom Mix suit. Don’t forget to fill my stocking, and please don’t make those big black tracks acrossed the floor from the fireplace to the Christmas tree like you did last year.
Your friend, Billy Clark.

Dear Santa Clause: Please bring me some high top shoes, some carpenter tools and work bench, a bugle and a tobogan. Also an aeroplane and a truck. Please don’t forget to bring my dogs billie and tutsie some bone. I will leave some cigarettes on the table for you.
Goodby Santa, and Thank you. (Signed ?)

Happy Holidays!

Photos: Herald-Recorder, Potsdam (1929); Endicott Bulletin (1928); Norwood News (1925)