UPDATE: The United States Postal Service (USPS) is calling on families to kick off the holiday season by writing letters to Santa Claus this weekend, as Operation Santa officially opens its doors for 2023. With a cold and cloudy weekend ahead, parents are encouraged to engage their children in this festive tradition.
Parents can help their little ones craft letters to Santa, a perfect indoor activity during this chilly weather. The USPS recommends mailing these letters by Monday, December 1, 2023, to ensure a response with an authentic North Pole postmark.
Here’s how to write to Santa:
1. Use two writing instruments and two envelopes – one large enough to hold the other.
2. Have your child write their letter to Santa Claus, North Pole, placing it in the first envelope.
3. Compose a personalized response from Santa, disguising your handwriting if necessary, and sign it “From Santa.”
4. Place both letters into a second envelope addressed to your child, adding the return address as Santa, North Pole.
5. Affix a First Class stamp (78 cents) and send it to:
North Pole Postmark, Postmaster, 4141 Postmark Dr., Anchorage, AK 99530-9998
For families looking to adopt letters through Operation Santa, this annual philanthropic initiative is designed to help brighten the holidays for families in need. Individuals, families, and even workplaces can participate by adopting letters to fulfill.
To join Operation Santa:
1. Visit USPSOperationSanta.com to create a login and verify your identity.
2. Browse available letters from across the country and adopt those you wish to fulfill.
3. Shop for gifts either through the USPS Santa’s Gift Shoppe or on your own.
4. Ship your gifts via the online catalog or at a Post Office location.
This year, USPS emphasizes the importance of adopting family letters as a team. One person can create a group to ensure that all letters from a household are fulfilled together. This collaborative approach allows offices, teams, and community groups to work together and make a significant impact.
The Santa’s Gift Shoppe, in partnership with Toys “R” Us, has expanded its offerings this year, allowing adopters to send gifts directly from an online catalog with free shipping on orders over $49. All packaging and shipping will be handled by USPS, simplifying the process for those wishing to spread cheer.
IMPORTANT: To ensure gifts arrive on time, they must be shipped by Saturday, December 13, 2023.
In a recent statement, Sheila Holman, USPS Vice President of Marketing, highlighted the growing need for this initiative, stating that each year, the agency receives “far more letters than those adopting.” The Operation Santa program, which began in 1912 under Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock, continues to be a cherished tradition, bringing joy to countless families across the nation.
Don’t miss the chance to create magical memories this holiday season. Engage your children in writing to Santa and consider adopting letters through Operation Santa to help families in need. The time to act is NOW!
