LIBOURNE, France (AP) — Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas.
Any letter addressed “Pere Noel” — French for Father Christmas — and popped into any post box around the world can wend its way to the postal sorting office in France’s Bordeaux region.
It has been handling his mail since 1962. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was.
The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic.
Boxes of English and French envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – wait to be opened by postal workers, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
Postal workers who call themselves “Elves” open envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
A postal worker dressed as Santa, talks with co-workers who call themselves “Elves” as they open envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
A postal worker shows an envelope from Jim of Taiwan, who sent a face mask inside the letter he sent and wrote “I (heart) U,” in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
A postal worker dressed as Santa, talks with co-workers who call themselves “Elves” as they open letters addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
Postal workers who call themselves “Elves” open envelopes addressed “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
Envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
Envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
A postal worker brings a trolley of envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
A postal worker who call themselves “Elves” open envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
Envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, are displayed by postal workers in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
The train station in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, where postal workers who call themselves “Elves” open envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
Postal workers who call themselves “Elves” open envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
A postal worker dressed as Santa, talks with co-workers who call themselves “Elves” as they open envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
An envelope from Taiwan addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
Postal workers who call themselves “Elves” sort envelopes addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
A postal worker dressed as Santa, reads letters to addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – decorated with love hearts, stickers and glitter, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) 
An letter addressed to “Pere Noel” – Father Christmas in French – that reads : “I send you my list, it is a bit early but it is because of COVID. I think I have been a little wise, so here is my list, in Libourne, southwest France, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Letters pouring by the tens of thousands into Santa’s mailbox offer a glimpse into the worries and hopes of children awaiting a pandemic-hit Christmas. Along with usual pleas for toys and gadgets, kids are also mailing requests for vaccines, for visits from grandparents, for life to return to the way it was. The office estimates that one letter in three mentions the pandemic. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
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