(Atlanta) Each year www.northpole.com receives a hefty bundle of emails from its visitors--unsolicited testimonials in appreciation of the holiday Web site that offers free activities, stories, and recipes to children and families. Last year the site drew 2.25 million visitors, and received a quarter-million letters to Santa.

Also each year, the site receives an amazing gift in return: visitors take the time to write to northpole.com and express their gratitude. Below are some of the emails visitors have sent this year.

"Wow! I am so impressed with all the great stuff on this site. It's just what one expects of elves and Santa--quality goods with fun and love of children at the heart of it. Thank you for this great gift! Sincerely, An old fan of Santa's"

"What a wonderful site. I have forwarded it on to everyone I know, young and old. Keep up the good work. Thanks."

"With Christmas not far away this is a must-see site if you have kids. There is everything in here from postcards to send, a letter from Santa, recipes to cook, helping the elves and all sorts of games. The animation is spectacular and its great to hear the kids oohs and ahhs. It is a well set out site that everyone should be able to use. With 5 kids I think I will be visiting this site quite a while in the upcoming months as we will never get through all the activities."

"I just wanted to let you know that this is the best Christmas site there is. I have 3 young children and I find this site is just awesome for them. It gets them right into the Christmas spirit, nice and early. I love all your recipes. This is my second Christmas coming to your site. I hope it is here for many years to come. Once again thanks for such a great site. Oh, and have a very merry Christmas."

"I came across this web site by accident and love it!! My granddaughter (5 years old) will go nuts over it. I can't begin to tell you how enchanting this web site is. Thank you."

"Greetings to all the Elves that make this site possible, Thank you so much for keeping this site up and adding new wonders. It is such a joy to browse and find new surprises. Elf Academy is great! Unemployment is very high here and there will be another 300 out of work close to Christmas. northpole.com has provided a bright spot for many of our students in years past, and will continue to do so this year. We use the site to help children learn about the Internet, read stories, and practice writing by making a paper copy of their letter to Santa ahead of time to minimize time spent at the computer trying to decide what to say. The personalized stories are a big hit with the children. What a joy it is to see little eyes light up in awe and wonder! I recommend northpole.com to everyone I know confident they will find something to enjoy regardless of their age. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! He resides at northpole.com. (If you have not read the famous reply to an 8-year-old girl's question, it's available on the net.) :) Merry Christmas!"

"Kudos. I really love what you have added to the web site this year. It is great. My son is 8 and still loves this so very much and now there is so much for him to do, and the educational items are wonderful. Thank you again."

"I Love The Site. A couple of years ago I found your site and had it linked from our home page during December. Last year I missed putting it up but this year it will be front and center!!!! The animation, content and things for kids to do are fantastic!!! And fun for us adults, too!!!! Thanks for the GREAT site and the fun and memories it creates for the young ones and the memories it brings back to us 'old ones'..."

"I have really enjoyed this site. Both the little hidden games and the recipes. I have been able to look up special recipes that I would like and even found the brownies in a jar that a friend asked if someone could find. Thanks so much."

"Dear northpole.com, I am a mother of two beautiful young children, and I just have to tell you how wonderful I think your web site is. I know my kids will be thrilled when they receive their letter from the 'real' Santa. I will keep those letters forever, and let my kids enjoy reading them when they are older. Thank you so much for your site. I love it."

"Thank you soooo much for such a great site!!! Christmas treats will be better than ever this year! Thanks again for such a great site. P.S. The kids loved the story we read."

"Just wanted to let you all know what a great site you have. Enjoyed it so much with my son Luke today. Keep up the great job!!! This web site is very enjoyable. I am a big fan of all things Christmas. I am not a kid anymore, but find this site great. Thank you for a site that doesn't have inappropriate items popping in all the time. I will be visiting this site often."

"We have had much enjoyment from your site--the kids really love it. Thank you so much for putting in the effort."

"Hello. I am a mother of three girls. This is a wonderful site. The recipes are out of this world. This will be our 3rd year here and the kids can't wait to send Santa letters. Thank you for a very heart warming holiday site."

"Hello, Just wanted to let you know how much I like your web site. Lots of goodies for the children and the recipes (sounds yummy). Cute dancing Santa. I know I'll be using lots for the holidays."

"This is a fun website!!!"

"My granddaughter was so excited to actually get an email from Santa. We printed it and she is going to save it. She has been having fun playing different things on your site. She loves Santa's coloring book. She has been entertained for hours. Thanks again for the wonderful web site and you also have a great and safe holiday and new year."

"It was indeed a great and wonderful time I have reading all of your letters and all different kind of stuff you have for parents and kids. I really am truly amazed of all the wonderful things you have for every one. I do hope they will all enjoy it and have a wonderful holidays. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday and a peaceful new year."

"This is the first time I have visited your site. I have had a ball, I will be bringing the grandchildren for a visit soon. Thank you very much for the fun I have been able to have, it was fun being a kid again. Merry xmas to you have a safe and happy one."

"Hey the website looks great, kids love it."

"You have a great site for young children looking to get a thrill out of Christmas. Thank you for providing them with something to do over the holiday season and thank you so much for giving them the opportunity to e-mail Santa Claus. It's a lot easier than having to ship off a letter and wait for sooo long to get it back. Well, being that I'm 14, I don't exactly believe in Santa Claus anymore, but you brought the spirit back for me. Thank you once again, and a very Merry Christmas to you all!"

"I think this site rocks. I go on it every year. Thank you for making this site happen."

"Your website is just adorable! I'm sure Santa and his elves are frantically gearing up for the upcoming holiday. Merry Christmas to all Santa's helpers and Mrs. Claus, too!"

"We love your site! It's sooo fun. I would just like to say that I am a big time Christmas person and my siblings and I enjoy your web site."

"Found you through askjeeves.com. I asked him for Santa Claus Web Sites. You weren't the first one to show up, I went through several not so good ones before I found you. I also had seen you on a "Santa Map" at the book store. It listed a number of sites but didn't review them. Someplace I saw that you guys were extra special--can't remember where now. You know how it is when you're surfing. At our house the elves come on Thanksgiving to help us get ready for Christmas. They are little elf statues and ornaments that represent different aspects of the holidays, and some remind us to think about the deeper meaning of the season, while others just bring cookies, or Christmas stories. (They just 'appear' with these things.) Anyway, one of the elves we have is the 'Computer Elf' and I think this year he'll bring a slip of paper with your website and a couple of personalized books for the kids. Thanks for contributing to Christmas magic at our house. Last year one elf brought something that neither my husband nor I had any clue about, and then we knew that our 11-year-old son was understanding how the elves work. Being one of Santa's helpers is important work. Thanks for doing a good job at it!"

"Really enjoyed visiting your site. Lots of good ideas and things for the young ones to do. I especially liked the create your own personalized storybook. Make great gifts for the grandkids. Thank you."

"Your web site was in our neighborhood newsletter!!! What a fun site!!! Looking forward to the Christmas karaoke. My son Ethan who's 2 really enjoys it!!"

"What a fun site!!! Looking forward to the Christmas karaoke site."

"This site is very cool. I found it from the sympatico homepage. Tons of stuff for the kids to do. Great recipes for me. Thanks."

"I think this site for kids is great even for the big kids at heart too. Dancing Santa is funny. Can't wait to see your karaoke site. You need Christmas music playing at the beginning of the village that would be good. My dad would have loved this site. He played Santa every year to people that had nothing and to the children that were mentally and physically handicapped or just anyone he wanted to make happy. I'm going to miss that this year and many after that. He passed away this July. Well, great site. Thanks for it."