Each year, thousands of kids write letters to Santa. And since 1912, the United States Postal Service has allowed private citizens to read and “adopt” these letters. Once a person “adopts” a Christmas letter, they shop for the child whose letter they’ve received and send them Christmas gifts based on their needs & wants in the letter.
Operation Santa – 2020
How to send letters to Santa:
Santa’s mailing address should be placed in the middle of the envelope. Letters can be addressed simply to SANTA CLAUS, but we prefer his official Postal Service address:
SANTA CLAUS
123 ELF ROAD
NORTH POLE 88888
Write your full name and address in the upper left corner.
Then, apply a first-class stamp in the upper right.
For letter writers:
- Letters requesting clothes and shoes should include sizes and colors. Letters requesting toys, games and books should be specific.
- These letters will populate the USPSOperationSanta.com website, which opens for letter adoption on Friday, Dec. 4.
For adopters:
- Customers are encouraged to go online and adopt a letter to help a child or family have a happy holiday when they otherwise might not.
- There will be no in-person letter adoptions this year due to COVID-19.
Letters received before Dec. 15 will be uploaded and made available for adoption, though the sooner your letter is received, the more likely it is to be answered. More details for writing letters to the USPS Operation Santa program can be found on the USPSOperationSanta.com website.
It gives us a chance to be Santa for kids who need it most. Get your kids involved to remind them that the holidays are more about giving than getting!
Identities are kept confidential to protect the privacy of the children, with shipping addresses kept private through printed encoded labels. If you’re interested in adopting a letter or learning more, including all the FAQs by visiting uspsoperationsanta.com.
Make sure you following all the shipping guidelines for wrapping and have your gift mailed in time to make it for Christmas!
If you know a child who could use some extra help from Santa this year, here’s information on how to write to him.
