Dear Santa...if you want to get a letter off to Santa Claus, head over to the parking lot across from Graffam Brother Seafood Market on Union Sett in Rockport. There you will find a lobster trap tree and a mailbox, which goes directly to the head elf himself.

Letters to the North Pole that have been placed in the Santa Mail Drop Box at 210 Union St. in Rockport (across from Graffam Brothers Seafood Market) will be reprinted below.

The originals will be delivered to the North Pole by carriers trained specially for the annual task. It's a long, cold trip and there must be no mistakes when it comes to delivering Santa his mail.

Letters to Santa will be accepted right up to 11:59 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Remember — Santa is busy on Christmas Eve, moving from home to home around the world. It is important to go to bed on time and not try to wait up for him. Santa has so many stops to make he cannot stay and chat with anyone, and that includes parents in their pajamas and slippers. Santa hopes that families are not awake when he slips down through the chimney or through the front door so that he can do his work uninterrupted. He is on a very tight time schedule.

He does, however, appreciate cookies. (We hear he is especially fond of chocolate chip, but he has a real sweet tooth and appreciates all flavors.) And sometimes a really good glass of cheer helps too, but not so much to hinder progress. And don't forget a few carrots for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph (if the weather is stormy). They'll appreciate the healthy snack between stops to keep up their energy level.

So, get those letters written and to the Santa Mail Drop Box. Don't delay!

And most of all....

Merry Christmas!