ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Maybe it’s the latest, must-have toy or game. Or it could be a favorite doll or a much-coveted baseball or softball glove. Perhaps it’s for that puppy or kitten that will become a treasured childhood companion.

Whatever they plan to ask for this Christmas, if they haven’t already done so, children throughout the area are no doubt scrambling to get their letters off to Santa in time to get their orders in.

And with just over a week before that special day arrives, Robertsdale Post Master Charles Tucker has two messages for children their parents.

First, it’s not too late, and second, you’d better hurry.

Tucker and his staff at the Post Office have a direct line to the “Jolly Old Elf” and have set up a special drop off for children to use at the Post Office on U.S. Highway 90.

“In the past we’ve received as many as 200 letters for Santa,” he said. Letters can be sent to Santa Claus, North Pole, 99901, but most importantly, Tucker said, if they include a complete return address, Santa will personally respond to their letters.

“They need to get their letters in by the 21st,” he said. “If they do that, then Santa will do his best to respond to the letters before Christmas.”

While Santa himself will not be making the trip to the Robertsdale Post Office this year as he has in the past, Tucker said school groups are still encouraged to come and have their photographs taken dropping their letters in the mail for Santa.

“We want to encourage anyone with young children to bring them to the Post Office to drop off their letters,” Tucker said. “We want to make sure that everyone gets their letter to Santa and he gets them in time to respond.”