For many kids, brushing aside cookie crumbs to read a Christmas morning note from Santa Claus is almost as exciting as tearing into the pile of presents he left under the tree. But Santa, it turns out, has a growing contingent of helpers like Dawn Hamler to send out letters -- from hand-printed notes to computerized virtual greetings -- while he and his elves are still scurrying around his workshop, building toys for the big day.

Ms. Hamler, 31, began writing personalized notes from Santa three years ago to earn a little extra money for the holidays for her husband and three children but also to help spread Christmas spirit. Her grandparents, she said, taught her to treat every day as special.

"Santa is with you all year long because it's a special meaning in your heart," said Ms. Hamler of Green Tree, who wrote about 125 Santa letters at $4 each last year after posting an ad on www.craigslist.org and creating a Web site at www.pittsburghsanta.com. Ms. Hamler will take orders until Dec. 15 so that letters can be mailed in time for Christmas.

And while Ms. Hamler prints out each message on notebook paper -- "this is like Santa is in his office, writing," she said -- for a homemade look, other Santa secretaries send out typed notes and even online electronic greetings.

On www.craigslist.org, a free online classified ad service, you'll also find a Westmoreland County woman who for $7 will send out a red stocking and a letter from Santa that reminds the child to be good, describes making toys with the elves and talks about other details of life in the North Pole. And another of Santa's helpers, who can be reached at santaletter@yahoo.com, will send out a personalized computer-printed letter for $4 or a hand-printed one for $7. All prices include postage.

For kids with more interest in the virtual world, there's also a service for Santa to send an online video by e-mail. The service, available at www.makebeliever.com, lets people send in personal information about their children, spouses, family members, friends or colleagues, type in what they would like Santa to say, and have an online video sent to that person of Santa Claus "saying nearly anything you want him to," according to the company.

In one sample for a boy named Antonio, a jolly Santa -- dressed in his red suit and hat and sitting in an armchair by his stocking-bedecked fireplace -- examines his naughty and nice list to see where Antonio landed this year.

Turns out Antonio, 6, has a spot near the very top of the nice list because of all the help he gave his dad with chores, Santa says in the video. But he also did some pouting during a few time-outs, Santa adds, so he better watch out and he better not cry.

"Careful -- too much of that might land you on the naughty list," Santa warns. "But I know you'll try your best not to do that again. If you try really hard to stay nice, Santa just might bring you something special this year."

With each online video, which costs from $5 to $10 depending on the version ordered, the company also sends a personalized Nice List Certificate with the child's name, the year and Santa's signature and official seal.

Ms. Hamler also sends a gift with her message; each note from Santa includes a Christmas ornament such as a star, an angel, a Christmas tree or a Santa figure. And she tries to add personal touches to the message using the information given to her about the boy or girl -- or in some cases the grown-up -- who will receive the letter.

The length of the letter, she said, depends on the content she is given. She likes to know the recipient's name, gender, age, special Christmas memories, favorite things and most-desired Christmas gifts. If siblings are receiving letters, she said, she makes sure that each is uniquely tailored to the child who will receive it.

Even the envelopes are hand-lettered. She is a Christmas traditionalist, she said, and hand-writing the letters and envelopes is an important part of keeping the Christmas spirit alive.

"I feel it gives kids a little more creativity," she said.