Inflation puts a strain on families during the holiday season.

Many of the families who contact Globe Santa tell us that they are financially at breaking point. There are many reasons for this: They may have lost their home, their job or a parent. They may be too sick to work, lost everything in a house fire, or had to flee domestic violence.

So far this year, around 16,000 letters have arrived in Globe Santa’s mailbox. They are read and edited by a dedicated team who ensure every letter is answered with a box of toys and books.

But if there is one consistent theme in this year’s letters, one disaster that is mentioned most often, it is inflation.

The rising costs of basic household needs such as groceries, heating oil, rent, baby food, utilities, health insurance and technology are putting strain on families. One mom even sent Globe Santa a reminder to bring diapers. (Size 5.) People just can’t catch up. Instead, they fall further and further behind.

“As you know, the economy and cost of living pose significant challenges throughout the country,” a single mother of a 9-year-old boy warned Globe Santa in her letter.

Globe Santa Claus does you know, because of letters like these:

“With inflation and the rising cost of heating the home and the cost of groceries, it seems like toys need to take a backseat.”

“The cost of living is higher than last year and prices are rising at unimaginable levels, for example on utilities, food, clothing, healthcare and transport. It is becoming increasingly difficult and challenging to provide the essentials for the home and our family.”

“Since (health) insurance is $1,050 per month, rent is $2,300 per month, and baby formula is $80.00 per week, it is difficult to meet our basic needs of food, light, every month , mobile phone etc. More than 50% of my entire monthly income goes towards health insurance.”

“It’s hard to sugarcoat it,” said Brian Bethune, an economist and professor at Boston College. Although inflation in the Boston metropolitan area slowed down In the 12 months to September, people on very tight budgets are more likely to feel any further rise in prices.

“People may not have any restraint. There is no emergency fund; A single car repair can set people back months,” Bethune said.

These themes are reflected in the story shared with Globe Santa by a mother of a 6-year-old boy.

“It’s been a tough year, the cost of groceries and everything else has skyrocketed… I recently had a very big car repair which cost me any extra money for the next 12 months. I had to repair a clutch in my vehicle which ended up costing me $2,200,” she wrote.

When the holidays come, these families must make difficult decisions.

“It pains me to think that I have to choose between paying bills and getting Christmas presents for my children,” wrote a mother of two. She is the “breadwinner” of the family because her husband has a serious, undiagnosed stomach condition that keeps him from work.

“It would be a blessing to be able to pay my bills and give him a special Christmas,” wrote the mother of a toddler. “I did my best to give him a great Christmas last year, but I had to put some bills aside.”

For nearly 70 years, the Globe Santa program has helped families find a way out of this predicament. It ensures Christmas presents don’t have to be put off, as the mother of a little boy had feared.

“Even though he’s just a toddler, I know he’ll enjoy opening presents,” she wrote. “He knows how to say wow! Thank you very much! Happy! So I know he will appreciate whatever Globe Santa gives him. And it will take a lot of stress out of my life and hopefully I will sleep better.”

For 69 years, Globe Santa, a program of the Boston Globe Foundation, has provided gifts to needy children during the holidays. Please consider donating by phone, mail or online at Globesanta.org.

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Linda Matchan can be reached at [email protected]