USPS Operation Santa Letter Adoption Program Spreads Holiday Cheer Early This Year

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is opening its Operation Santa Letter Adoption program before Black Friday for the first time, in response to customer requests. 

Now in its 111th year, USPS Operation Santa invites the public to adopt letters written to Santa on USPSOperationSanta.com, contributing to a tradition of kindness that helps make the holiday season magical for children and families.

The program, relying on acts of kindness and the generosity of strangers, offers an opportunity for people to support those who may otherwise experience a less festive holiday. As USPS explains, Operation Santa is not a guaranteed gift-giving program, but rather a platform that facilitates goodwill during the holiday season.

Since Sept. 18, the Postal Service has been receiving letters from across the country, delivering them to Santa’s U.S. workshop at 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888. Letters sent with First-Class Mail postage and complete, accurate, and legible return addresses have been posted on the Operation Santa website, where individuals can read and adopt letters starting Monday, Nov. 21.

Registration for letter adopters actually opened on Nov. 6. 

To participate, visit USPSOperationSanta.com to register and undergo identity verification. For those unable to complete verification online, a code and instructions will be provided for in-person verification at your local Post Office. 

Verified adopters can read letters and select one or more to fulfill, following the provided directions. Adopters will receive a welcome email with detailed information on shipping gifts. Packages must be sent via Priority Mail service, with postage fees covered by the adopters.

To reduce shipping costs, USPS advises letter adopters to use Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes available at local Post Offices, adopt letters from your state or nearby states, pay attention to gift dimensions to manage size and weight effectively, and consider sending gift cards in a Priority Mail envelope.

Some important dates to remember: the last day to send letters to Santa is Dec. 11, and the last day to adopt letters and recommended dates to ship packages is Dec. 18. 

The USPS emphasizes that there is only one official USPS Operation Santa program. Any organization requesting money to adopt letters is in violation of Postal Service laws and is not affiliated with or condoned by the USPS.

For more information, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.