by Birdie from Fairbanks asks Santa about Christmas in July, learns about the Arctic Circle near her home, and discovers there is a real town called North Pole, Alaska
Dear Santa, my name is Birdie and I am nine years old. I live in Fairbanks, Alaska, where my mom says in the summer the sun barely sets and in the winter it barely rises, which still confuses my cousin from Texas.
Dear Birdie, your cousin’s confusion is entirely reasonable, and it took the reindeer several centuries to fully adjust their sleep schedules for Alaska too.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, do you celebrate Christmas in July? My local pool has a Christmas in July party every summer with fake snow and everything.
Christmas in July is a fun, festive novelty many places enjoy midway through the year, Birdie, a little extra dose of holiday cheer to break up the summer. It is not my actual delivery night, but I fully approve of any excuse for extra kindness and cheer.
My second question is about where we live. My teacher says the Arctic Circle passes fairly close to us here in Alaska. Is that true?
It is, Birdie. The Arctic Circle runs through the northern part of Alaska, not far from Fairbanks, and that closeness is part of why the sunlight behaves so unusually in your part of the world throughout the year.
My third question is, is it true there is an actual real town called North Pole, right here in Alaska? My friend from another state did not believe me.
It is entirely true, Birdie, and I have a soft spot for it. North Pole, Alaska is a real town, famous for its Christmas-themed streets and year-round holiday spirit. It is not the actual North Pole, of course, but I always give it an extra friendly wave for borrowing the name so proudly.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Birdie Nelson
Fairbanks, Alaska
P.S. Have you ever actually visited North Pole, Alaska?
Every year, Birdie. It would be rude not to.
