Letters Become Toys With Disney
Could it really be that simple? Could letters become toys with Disney?
When I was invited along to their store on Dublin’s Grafton Street last week I wasn’t sure what to expect. Surely this good news story was too good to be true. The mad thing is, it’s not.
Formerly known as “Children In Hospital Ireland”, the “YooBYoo” charity will benefit from every single Santa letter posted in the Disney Store on Grafton Street to the tune of a soft toy. That’s one soft toy per letter. I kid you not. This is part of the “Share The Magic” Christmas campaign that every Disney Store undertake every year.
I can’t believe I didn’t know about this!
That evening we browsed through the store and the 5 year old (pictured) compiled a wish list. Santa only brings surprises in our house, so he won’t be writing down what he would like to get. He will ask for a surprise this year and it’s for that reason that we don’t buy toys because we never know what Santa will bring. It would be very embarrassing if we bought something that Santa would leave under the tree. The beauty of surprises is that there are no expectations or limits to Santa’s imagination!
Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to post our Santa letter that night and trips to Dublin city centre are not very often in this house. However Disney inform me that we can send a letter online and it will still count as one that will become a toy. You can also do so by clicking here. I’m also told that there is a special video message available once you email your letter to Santa.
Catherine Clifford, Volunteer Coordinator from Children in Hospital Ireland, said
“We are delighted to be part of this wonderful campaign from Disney. We have a fantastic relationship with the staff working at the Disney Store on Grafton Street and the children and families of Children in Hospital Ireland will really appreciate this special gift and gesture at Christmas. Children in Ireland is a volunteer-based programme, reaching out to sick children and their families. The organisation recruits, trains and vets volunteers from all around the country who provide play and happiness to sick children in their local hospitals. It will be fantastic to be able to provide these children with an uplifting gift from Disney this Christmas.”
Graham Burridge, Managing Director, Disney Store Europe, said:
“Each of our stores has a special relationship with a variety of local children’s charities that they work with closely throughout the year. Our annual ‘Share in the Magic’ Christmas campaign is extra special as it encourages everyone to get involved and experience some of the Disney magic. We are always delighted at the response from the public to help support our charity campaign and hope that the public will bring their letter to Santa into our stores again this year and help us bring some magic and joy to thousands of children this Christmas”
For a few moments of your time, your letters become toys with Disney. For such a great cause, let’s spread the word and share the magic!
Disclosure: I was a guest of Disney at their launch event last week. My opinions are my own and I am not paid to give them.
Caitriona Redmond
I'm an Irish mother to 2 boys, born & bred in Dublin, Ireland. I like to cook simple & fresh food for the family, with the family on a budget.
2 Comments
kathryn
What a great idea. I wonder how old you have to be to still write to Santa via Disney? think I’ll try it.
In our house too Santa always brings surprises and puts them in stockings. People can get up as early as they like and open their stockings by themselves. He always seems to bring something not too sweet to eat, something to read, some music and something to play with that doesn’t make an awful lot of noise. And maybe a video to watch until other people wake. We also buy each other presents which we put under th tree and how expensive they are depends on the level of family finance. We do ask people what they want but when things are tight we explain what we can or can’t afford at the time when the request is made.
Christmas morning presents under the tree are opened once breakfast is over, washing up is done, and the turkey is in the oven. I thought my poor DIL, who’s family open everything under the tree the moment they wake, would burst into tears the first Christmas she spent with us.
Wholesome Ireland
Oh dear I can imagine her upset alright! Each family is different but the surprises works for us, and funnily enough worked for our parents before us. We are looking forward to a great Christmas this year as family members who live abroad are home for the celebration and that will make it amazing.