And each year, the USPS shares some of the letters it has received in an effort to promote the program and inspire folks to adopt letters.

This year, one letter in particular has people in tears as it shines a light on the challenges many LGBTQ+ kids face. In it, a young gay boy asked Santa if God loved him.

On its Operation Santa website, the USPS has shared a letter from a child identified only as "Will."

In a child-like handwriting that leans and tilts across the page, it reads:

"Dear Santa,

Do you support the LGBTQ community and if you can speak to god can you tell Him I love him, and if He loves me for being gay. Thank you. Love, Will."

As Operation Santa does not traditionally publicly share personal information about the children who send letters to Santa through the program, the USPS has not provided any additional information about Will or his letter, such as which state it was mailed from.

So although Will's letter doesn't tell us much in the way of facts or personal details, it speaks volumes in regards to the struggle so many LGBTQ+ children go through every day.

Because while many children turn to Santa with requests for toys and games, Will wanted only to know if he was loved by God.

Unfortunately, Will's desire for love and acceptance is something many LGBTQ+ youth have experienced.

In 2018, a Human Rights Campaign survey of more than 12,000 LGBTQ+ youth aged 13 to 17 found only 24% of respondents felt they could "definitely" be themselves as an LGBTQ+ person at home.

What's more, 67% of all respondents said they heard their families make negative comments about LGBTQ+ people and 48% of respondents who were already out to their parents said their families made them feel bad about being LGBTQ+. Continue reading

Nelson councillor Gaile Noonan said a new organiser for the parade would be announced this week. Read more

And he's starting with the giant Christmas display at the Clarence Street Pak 'n Save in Hamilton - which is hard to miss. Continue reading

And it seems plenty are willing to pay for the privilege of skipping long queues.

Tickets to do just that at Auckland department store Smith & Caughey's cost $30 and are selling fast. continue reading

A joke that can be greeted only with a groan or, better still, complete silence, can hardly be a real joke now, can it?

Santa walks into a bar and the barman says: Sorry, we're claused.

But punning has a rich history.

It dates back to prehistoric times, graces the pages of the greatest of writers (think Chaucer, Shakespeare, Joyce), delights the hearts of newspaper headline writers throughout the world and is more or less essential to cryptic crossword setters.

'Are you pudding in an appearance at the Christmas break-up?'
'Will my presents be welcome?'
'Yes, and Yule enjoy it.'
'I Noel I will, holly.'
'Anyway, Merry Chrysanthemum.'
'And a Happy Nude Ear to you.'

And on and on it can go, a game of sheer, infuriating wits played by two or more geniuses. Repartee at its very best ... or worst, depending on your point of view. Continue reading.

Source: Eureka Street

Image: Raymond Briggs

On her Wednesday programme, while talking with a panel about a piece in Slate, "Santa Claus Should Not Be A White Man Anymore" (the author suggested Santa should be a penguin).

Kelly said both Jesus and Santa were white, adding, "just because it makes you feel uncomfortable it doesn't mean it has to change…Jesus was a white man, too. It's like we have, he's a historical figure that's a verifiable fact, as is Santa, I just want kids to know that. How do you revise it in the middle of the legacy in the story and change Santa from white to black?"

She later said she was just being funny Read More