To not want to write DCs name and address on the back of the envelope?

[BabyDoge]

We've just written DCs Santa letters. I'm wanting to send them to the address provided by Royal Mail, as you get a response from Santa in the post. I've just had a look on their site and apparently you have to write your child's full name and address on the back of the envelope.
Given all the warnings about safeguarding, surely this isn't a good idea? I made a thread the other day about buying DS a football kit and was warned not to put his name on the back. Surely a letter addressed to Santa with a child's full name and address on the back is even worse?
Has anyone else sent a letter off? Did you put the name and address on the back or would it be enough just to put it inside on the letter itself?

We wrote to the Royal Mail Santa and have had our reply, I put his full name and address on the back of the envelope. The reply was just to his first name at our address. Am quite sure they don’t open the letters!

Edit- the letter is also to the first name only, if you use yours, the letter will be addressed to you

Thank you 🥰 x

The reason you shouldn’t put the name on the shirt is because the child will be in it and a stranger can pretend to know them when they’re not with you. There is almost nothing a stranger can or would want to do with just your child’s name and address. The postal system as a whole isn’t really a target for groomers and it would be such a convoluted thing to do when someone could do something easier (like reading a child’s name on a shirt). I am often cautious and I’m 100% sure there is no risk in writing on the outside of the envelope

I did the RM letters and I didn't write their name and address on the back of the envelope. I wrote all their names at the bottom of the letter and address underneath. They each got a response.

No one at the local sorting office will see the letter really.
The mail will be taken out of the pillar box in handfuls and stuffed in a mail sack (and I’m pretty sure they are sealed then). The sacks will be taken back to the local office but only so they can load them onto the van going to the main sorting facility. There the sacks will be sorted by a machine reading the postcode to be sent on to the next location. As its a Royal Mail facility it probably doesn’t get the final hand sort which is usually only done just before it is actually delivered.
Even 25 years ago when Dh was a postman it was only when the mail reached the receiving sorting office that a person would actually start looking at the letters rather than a machine.

We never included an address and got someone else (an aunt) to write and post a reply.

I understand the anxiety and worry of putting your child in danger, and sometimes it is good to be cautious and double check.
However in this situation I think it is perfectly fine to put your child's name and address on the envelope, the Royal Mail workers won't know for sure it is a child, it could be an older teen, a spouse, or even someone sending one as a joke to a friend.
As a groomer/paedophile ring it is not a very efficient way of finding children.

This is different to putting your child's name on clothing as that is a double identifier, the actual child and their name, a person with nefarious intentions can see the child and use the name as a means of familiarity and to obtain trust, same as posting pics of your child in school uniform or with other identifiable objects/locations.

The Royal Mail letter is just one identifier without anything else it is practically useless for the reasons above.

I'd just do pretend letters and replies. The Royal Mail thing is too much effort.

Messi? Ronaldo?

If you write your name on the envelope you'll end up with a letter from Santa addressed to you. Super useful. All your Christmas wishes will come true!

There are letters you can pay for, we used those a lot. Videos too - the portable North Pole.

@BabyDoge Op I don't know how old your DC are but are they able to read the letters themselves? If not would you feel easier if you put their middle names instead, or an entire made up one (and obviously if you read it to them then you road out their actual names). The address part there's no getting round I wouldn't think.

Take care of yourself, anxiety is the worst.

I got my grandson kit with his favourite player's name on. Not for safeguarding reasons, it's what he wanted.

OP you are overthinking this massively. Your child will be fine, it is not a risk you need to concern yourself about. No one from the post office is going to note your child's name and address and then contact or otherwise do harm them.

I say this kindly, but please, if this is making you so anxious that it's in your head to the point you're having to sense check it with a DH who is losing patience or ask on here then go and see a doctor next week. It is hell living with a busy and anxious brain like you are, but there is help out there.

Oh - I see you're on a waiting list.

Well go and see your doctor again anyway and push hard for help. You can't live like this, it's not good for you.

Thank you, this is a really helpful reply x

Thank you, it does make sense written rationally like that 🙂

This!

The irony of having such a shitty attitude yourself yet making this comment.

Well yes, this too!

Sorry but you are being ridiculous.
Do you think someone will note down all the addresses so they can snatch your child. Get a Grip!!!
Also noone is making you sent a letter to Santa. If you aren't comfortable then don't do it.

In Germany it is obligatory to put the sending address (at least) on the front of the envelope, in the top left-hand corner. Surname optional. Never had any issues with it.

And you wonder why, this is ridiculous then don't write to Santa hide yourself away and then think about the affect this is having on your child/ren

Just throw the letters away, print out the Royal Mail letter yourself and deliver them.

I'm currently working for Royal Mail as a Christmas temp. Their rules around confidentiality of data are really strict. Addresses on envelopes and parcels are covered by GDPR and any employees copying or using that information can find themselves in serious trouble.

You're massively overthinking this.