HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Christmas is a bit more than six weeks away. It’s that magical time of year again. It's time to help your keiki send their wishes straight to the North Pole! From Nov. 10 through Nov. 16, it’s Dear Santa Letter Week. It's a festive tradition where children can write their heartfelt letters to Santa Claus; and, if they’re lucky, they will receive a personal response from the jolly man himself. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You It's a great way to spark the holiday spirit and kick off the season of giving! The practice of writing to Santa dates back over a century with roots in the early 1900s when postmasters across the United States began responding to children's letters. In 1912, the Postmaster General gave local postmasters permission to help answer letters to Santa. As a result, the move to answer those letters turned it into a nationwide holiday tradition. By the 1940s, organizations and community groups joined in to help Santa with his growing mailbag! But how did Santa even get into the picture? Well, St. Nicholas first made his way into American culture in the late 1700s, thanks to Dutch settlers who celebrated Sinterklaas. Over the years through corporate marketing, he evolved from a serious figure to the jolly, red-suited Santa Claus we know today. And thanks in part to Clement Clarke Moore’s 1822 poem, "‘Twas the Night Before Christmas", many children anticipate Santa's arrival each Dec. 25. Now, every year, kids of all ages grab their pens and paper (or keyboards) to write letters to Santa. They ask for everything from toys to puppies to world peace. During Dear Santa Letter Week, it's a perfect time to sit down with your children and let them share their hopes, wishes and dreams for the holiday season and the coming year. The best part? Santa’s helpers (like the U.S. Postal Service and community organizations) might just write back to make your child’s wish list even more magical. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 Here's the address to send your letters: Santa Claus, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. You can click here for more information. So, grab those markers, write those letters and get ready for some holiday magic!