by Anders, age 9 from St. Paul, Minnesota, asks Santa about Santa hats, the Mississippi River, and the St. Paul Winter Carnival’s ice palaces.
Dear Santa, my name is Anders, and I am nine years old. I live in St. Paul, Minnesota, where my dad says our city once built a whole giant castle made entirely out of ice.
Dear Anders, an ice castle is exactly the kind of architecture I can appreciate, your dad picked a truly frosty, wonderful hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Does Target have Santa hats? My mom wants to grab one quickly on our shopping trip this week.
Many large stores, including that one, do carry festive items like Santa hats during the season, Anders. Ask your mom to check while you are out, a quick find like that often turns up easily this time of year.
My dad says St. Paul sits right along the Mississippi River, across from Minneapolis. Is that true?
It is true, Anders, St. Paul and Minneapolis sit right along the Mississippi River, twin cities sharing that same great waterway. I always follow that winding river to help find my way to your rooftop.
My dad says St. Paul has a famous winter festival where people build real ice palaces. Is that true?
It is true, Anders, the St. Paul Winter Carnival has featured stunning ice palaces for well over a century, a beloved tradition celebrating the cold rather than hiding from it. That kind of embracing winter with joy is really something I deeply appreciate.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Anders Lindqvist
St. Paul, Minnesota
P.S. Have you ever visited one of the ice palaces yourself?
Every chance I get, Anders, it feels rather like visiting a cousin’s house.
