USPS Operation Santa Seeks Gift-Givers for Holiday Wishes

Looking to spread some holiday cheer this season? The U.S. Postal Service is calling on gift-givers to take part in the heartwarming Operation Santa program. This initiative dates back to 1912, when it all began with local post offices answering letters to Santa. Fast forward to today, and it’s grown into a nationwide effort connecting kind-hearted individuals with children eager for a touch of holiday magic.

Whether you’re keen on sending your own letter to Santa or stepping into the role of Santa’s helper, there’s room for everyone to join in on the fun. To start, address your letter to Santa and mail it to the North Pole at 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. The Postal Service then works behind the scenes to process and post these letters online for adoption.

Need some tips on what to include in your letter? Check out the USPS Operation Santa website for detailed guidelines. Oh, and don’t forget to pop in your return address so Santa’s helpers can deliver your goodies to the right place. Being specific about your wish list makes it easier for potential letter adopters to choose that perfect gift.

The letter adoption phase for the 2024 Operation Santa program opened on November 18. Remember, letters to Santa should be in the mail by December 9, with adopters having until December 16 to send out their gifts. Ready to adopt a letter? Start by creating an account on the USPS Operation Santa website. Once your account is verified, you can browse through the letters available and pick the ones you’d like to fulfill.

Filter letters by state, family size, or language preference (English or Español) to find your perfect match. While the shipping deadline isn’t until mid-December, adopting letters early and sending out gifts promptly is a great way to assure families that their wishes will be granted.

As an exciting update for this year, the Postal Service has teamed up with Toys “R” Us to introduce “Santa’s Gift Shoppe,” an online catalog that simplifies the process of finding and sending gifts. This collaboration hints at more to come, with plans to expand the online catalog to include items like clothing, shoes, and books.

Spread some joy this holiday season by becoming a part of Operation Santa. Whether you’re writing Santa a letter or lending a hand as a gift-giver, you can be a part of making dreams come true for families in need.