How to Build a Christmas Writing Center That Motivates Reluctant Writers

The holidays are just around the corner, and your classroom is probably getting a little hectic. One of the easiest ways to keep kids focused and excited about writing in December is by using a Christmas writing center. Over the years, I’ve found that this simple shift not only streamlines my writing block but also boosts my students’ motivation, especially those reluctant writers who suddenly can’t wait to pick up a pencil.

Elf on the Shelf sitting beside student writing samples in a classroom Christmas writing center with anchor chart words and a December writing prompt.

Why a Christmas Writing Center Works in December

I live and work in a community where the main holiday celebration this time of year is Christmas. For many years, I have had a class full of children who celebrate Christmas, and all they can think about is Santa, the holidays, and the magic of this time of year. I really wanted to capitalize on that, so I created Letters to the North Pole.

Although you see an elf in the pictures, you DO NOT NEED an elf to set this up.

The best way to get kids to write is to give them real reasons to write!

My students write to Santa every year, and a Grade 8 class responds to their letters. Writing a letter to Santa is the most authentic writing task you can give a child this time of year, and that authenticity is the buy-in. Students write best when they have a real reason to write. All the conventions we’ve been working on come to the forefront—now my students really understand why they need finger spaces and the importance of using the word wall.

They finally start to use conventions because they KNOW they need to!

North Pole writing center display with letter writing anchor charts and sample Santa letters for a Christmas writing center.

What to Include in Your Christmas Writing Center

To start, I work through a lesson and introduce the anchor chart with our success criteria for writing. We look at samples and build an anchor chart showing the parts each letter should include. Providing this structure definitely helps students be more successful.

Sample Santa letter showing parts of a letter used in a Christmas writing center for teaching primary students how to write letters.

Using Candy Cane Spacemen to Teach Conventions

Students writing Santa letters using candy cane spacemen as part of a Christmas writing center activity.

Authentic Letter Writing Ideas for Your North Pole Writing Center

Well, Santa isn’t the only one who lives at the North Pole! There is Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, the reindeer, and the Elves. Once students realize they can write to everyone, their excitement skyrockets. The Writing Center becomes the place to be! I have writing paper for each character.

Elf on the Shelf sitting beside Christmas writing center word cards and a student’s North Pole letter.

North Pole mailbox system for Christmas writing center where students send letters to Santa, elves, and other characters.

How the Christmas Writing Center Supports Reluctant Writers

What do you do with all these letters?

We have an Elf on the Shelf in our classroom. Students write to him too—and he becomes our delivery elf. Each evening, he takes letters from the writing center’s mailbox to the North Pole. When students return and see their letters gone, the excitement is REAL.

Do I need to respond to ALL the letters?

Nope. I answer a handful each week, and they magically appear on students’ desks. Of course, this sparks even MORE writing!

How do I know this will help my reluctant writers?

Every year, I watch reluctant writers blossom. They WANT to write, and they WANT their writing to be understood—so they try harder. Often, all they need is the desire and confidence to take risks.