Telstra surprises Aussies with this unexpected Christmas gift
The festive season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of twinkling lights, the aroma of freshly baked mince pies, and the sound of carols filling the air.
But this year, Telstra has added an extra sprinkle of magic to the holiday season that has left everyone stunned.
In a delightful surprise, Telstra has opened up a direct line to the North Pole, allowing children to chat with Santa Claus himself.
This little-known service, now in its third year, has caught many parents and grandparents off guard, with many exclaiming, 'Why has no one ever told me about this?' and 'You can do that?'
From now until Christmas Eve, children can dial # HO HO HO (#46 46 46) from any Telstra payphone across the country to have a free chat with Santa.
Once they’re connected, they can press 1 to talk to Santa, press 2 to chat with Mrs Claus, and press 3 for Santa’s friendly elf.
Jana Kotatko, Telstra Retail Executive, shared, 'This year is the most interactive Santa experience yet, and children can ask Santa questions—from asking about the weather in the North Pole, to what the reindeers like to snack on before their big Christmas Eve adventure.'
The service has already seen a 'huge surge in calls,' according to Telstra.
Behind the scenes, there is an interactive Santa AI that guides the conversation. However, Santa has requested that no more details about the behind-the-scenes magic be revealed.
Here’s one video of a child talking to Santa:
In addition to this, Australia Post is also helping children across the country to write to Santa.
Letters must be addressed to 'Santa, North Pole, 9999' with a 65c Christmas stamp affixed to the front of the envelope.
A name and return address should be included on the back, so Santa knows where to send his reply.
Children with low vision can receive a large text reply from Santa by sending their letters to 'Santa Mail (large text), North Pole, 9999'.
Letters can be sent until Sunday, December 24, 2023, but those sent by Friday, December 1, will receive a reply before Christmas Day.
‘We want to ensure that Santa has enough time to reply to every child, so we encourage everyone to write and post their letters as soon as possible,’ the company said on their website.
The Magic of Christmas
Christmas is a magical time of year, especially for children. The anticipation of Santa's arrival, the joy of opening presents, and the warmth of family gatherings make it a season to remember. Telstra's initiative to connect children with Santa adds an extra layer of enchantment to the festive season.
The concept of Santa Claus, a jolly old man who travels the world delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve, has been a part of Christmas traditions for centuries. The tradition of writing letters to Santa originated in the 19th century and has since evolved.
Today, with the help of technology, children can not only write to Santa but also talk to him directly.
This initiative by Telstra is a wonderful example of how technology can be used to enhance traditional experiences and create unforgettable memories. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the magic of Christmas for children.
So, grandparents, if you're looking for a way to make this Christmas extra special for your grandchildren, why not take them to a Telstra payphone and let them chat with Santa?
It's a Christmas surprise they will remember for years to come.
What are your thoughts on this unique Christmas surprise from Telstra, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
But this year, Telstra has added an extra sprinkle of magic to the holiday season that has left everyone stunned.
In a delightful surprise, Telstra has opened up a direct line to the North Pole, allowing children to chat with Santa Claus himself.
This little-known service, now in its third year, has caught many parents and grandparents off guard, with many exclaiming, 'Why has no one ever told me about this?' and 'You can do that?'
From now until Christmas Eve, children can dial # HO HO HO (#46 46 46) from any Telstra payphone across the country to have a free chat with Santa.
Once they’re connected, they can press 1 to talk to Santa, press 2 to chat with Mrs Claus, and press 3 for Santa’s friendly elf.
Jana Kotatko, Telstra Retail Executive, shared, 'This year is the most interactive Santa experience yet, and children can ask Santa questions—from asking about the weather in the North Pole, to what the reindeers like to snack on before their big Christmas Eve adventure.'
The service has already seen a 'huge surge in calls,' according to Telstra.
Behind the scenes, there is an interactive Santa AI that guides the conversation. However, Santa has requested that no more details about the behind-the-scenes magic be revealed.
Here’s one video of a child talking to Santa:
In addition to this, Australia Post is also helping children across the country to write to Santa.
Letters must be addressed to 'Santa, North Pole, 9999' with a 65c Christmas stamp affixed to the front of the envelope.
A name and return address should be included on the back, so Santa knows where to send his reply.
Children with low vision can receive a large text reply from Santa by sending their letters to 'Santa Mail (large text), North Pole, 9999'.
Letters can be sent until Sunday, December 24, 2023, but those sent by Friday, December 1, will receive a reply before Christmas Day.
‘We want to ensure that Santa has enough time to reply to every child, so we encourage everyone to write and post their letters as soon as possible,’ the company said on their website.
The Magic of Christmas
Christmas is a magical time of year, especially for children. The anticipation of Santa's arrival, the joy of opening presents, and the warmth of family gatherings make it a season to remember. Telstra's initiative to connect children with Santa adds an extra layer of enchantment to the festive season.
The concept of Santa Claus, a jolly old man who travels the world delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve, has been a part of Christmas traditions for centuries. The tradition of writing letters to Santa originated in the 19th century and has since evolved.
Today, with the help of technology, children can not only write to Santa but also talk to him directly.
This initiative by Telstra is a wonderful example of how technology can be used to enhance traditional experiences and create unforgettable memories. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the magic of Christmas for children.
So, grandparents, if you're looking for a way to make this Christmas extra special for your grandchildren, why not take them to a Telstra payphone and let them chat with Santa?
It's a Christmas surprise they will remember for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Children can connect with Santa this Christmas by dialling # HO HO HO (#46 46 46) from any Telstra payphone nationwide.
- The call to Santa is an interactive AI experience.
- Australia Post also helps kids across the country to write to Santa, with options available for those with low vision to receive a large text reply.
- Telstra has initiated this innovative initiative for the third year and has witnessed a significant surge in calls this year.
What are your thoughts on this unique Christmas surprise from Telstra, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.