St. Louis duo handwrites 100 letters from Santa for fifth year
The personalized messages cost $35 and take 45 minutes each to complete, a process the creators say prevents mass production.
By Alessia Romano ·
Courtney Essner and Addie Morgester spent approximately 45 minutes this week finishing a single package for a child named Walter. The letter includes a gentle reminder from Santa to be careful on future escapades, a reference to stitches he received during an unfortunate adventure last year. This specific level of detail defines the fifth season of their personalized holiday service.
The business began in 2022 when the two St. Louis creatives launched the tradition. Essner operates The Essner Edit, while Morgester runs Artfully Overjoyed. They started with a goal to create a specific item for families to anticipate each Christmas. By the end of the previous season, they had produced about 100 letters. Early customers who ordered for one child in 2022 are now placing orders for two or three children.
The process relies on specific input from parents. When placing an order, guardians provide the child's name and up to three details. These details can be a milestone, a favorite activity, or a specific accomplishment. Essner incorporates these points into a letter written in Santa's voice. One recipient received encouragement for swimming progress. Another was praised for learning to write her name. The letters for infants focus on growing up, kindness, and the excitement of future holidays.
Morgester designs the stationery for each year. For 2026, the theme is a whimsical winter ski lodge featuring animals on slopes. The inspiration came from an illustration of a skiing bear that Essner saw on Pinterest. The pair worked with an artist to create custom graphics. This includes a goose on skis, a reference to Essner's new puppy, Goose. The package includes the handwritten letter, a Nice List Certificate, a personalized envelope with a custom liner, and a name tag with a gondola design.
The materials are chosen for durability. Morgester selects thick, high-quality paper. Essner uses traditional ink and lettering techniques to address each envelope. The entire assembly takes between 30 and 45 minutes. This time requirement limits how many letters they can produce. The duo has decided to keep the process personal rather than scaling for mass production.
Rising material costs have changed the pricing structure for this year. The cost is now $35 per letter, plus $6 for shipping. The increase reflects the expense of the high-quality paper and the time spent on each item. Essner notes that receiving something done by hand has become a small luxury. The pair is using community events to reach new families instead of cutting corners on the product.
Each finished letter goes into a discreet outer mailer addressed to the parent or guardian. Families decide when to reveal the contents to the child. The items can appear under the tree or arrive in the mailbox. The outer packaging is designed to maintain the surprise until the family is ready.
To mark the five-year anniversary, the duo is hosting an event on December 11. The location is Little's Loft Play Café in Kirkwood. The event will feature a visit from Santa and a station where children can write their own messages to the North Pole. Each child's ticket includes a personalized letter from Santa in a welcome gift bag.
Orders for the 2026 letters are open through December 12. Delivery is planned for before Christmas Eve. Each child requires a separate order. The duo says they are keeping the offering simple to focus on the stationery and writing. Essner hopes the tradition continues for generations and that families look for the letters every year.
