The City of West Columbia has a new mailbox! Santa’s Mailbox is located at Carraway Park, 212 Hudson Street, West Columbia, South Carolina, 29169.

Children can drop their letters to Santa in the special mailbox from November 22 – December 15, for a response by Christmas. The mailbox will accept letters through December 24, however, if a letter is placed in the box after December 15, a response from Santa might not make it back in time before Christmas Day. All information can be found at www.westcolumbiasc.gov/santasmailbox.

Santa is picking two letters, mailed by December 1, to be read by Mrs. Claus at the City’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 3rd at 6:30 PM, at City Hall. Include a parent’s email address and Santa’s Elves will let you know if your child’s letter will be read during the tree lighting event. Make sure to include the child’s name, age, and address. Parents, please help little ones make their information legible.

PARENTS/CAREGIVERS EYES ONLY

Please feel free to use the Letters to Santa templates available. One is in color and the other can be colored. For a response from Santa, please use Santa’s stationery (see below.)

TIPS: To save paper, write on the back of your child’s letter. If you keep them together, your child will also be able to recall what he or she wrote.
When responding as Santa, make the letter from Santa as personal as possible by highlighting your child’s accomplishments over the past year. For example, helping around the house, receiving good grades in a particular subject at school, or participating in community service activities. Make it special by responding to your child’s wish list or including information about your family, animals, or Elf on the Shelf.
This is a great activity for the holidays that the whole family can enjoy, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other caregivers.

17th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The City of West Columbia is hosting the 17th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 3, 2021, at 6:30 PM, at West Columbia City Hall, 200 N. 12th Street, West Columbia, SC.

Each year, West Columbia area elementary schools hold a “What Christmas Means to Me” contest. The essay winners from each school are recognized at the tree lighting and will read their winning essays or poems. In addition to the writing contest, there is a student artwork contest. The winning artwork entry will be featured on the cover of the event program. The top three entries will be displayed on the Art on State wall on the corner of State and Meeting Streets.

The program will include Christmas carols, greetings, and the lighting of the West Columbia Christmas Tree.

Entertainment includes:

• Steve Varholy – Master of Ceremonies
• Busbee Creative Arts Academy Chorus – The Academy Christmas Carolers
• East Point Academy – Smile Dance Group
• East Point Academy – Cub Chorus
• Special Readings from Mrs. Claus
• Please join us on Friday, December 3, 2021, at 6:30 PM.