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Spread Joy this Holiday Season with USPS Operation Santa

By Christen Reiner, Macaroni KID Lakewood-Littleton & Macaroni KID Denver Editor and Publisher November 23, 2024

Santa's mailroom is overflowing with wishes from hopeful families and children this year. 

You can make a holiday wish come true in four easy steps with the help of USPS Operation Santa!

Since my children were pretty little, it's been a tradition in our family to help a child or a family in need during the holiday season. My kids now look forward to the joy and excitement that comes from choosing and giving the "perfect gift". Now that all of my kids have become Santa's helpers, we are looking forward to choosing a letter (or two!) to adopt, finding the perfect gift, and mailing it to a special recipient on Santa's behalf. 


USPS Operation Santa makes it super easy to participate:

🎅 READ

Check out letters to Santa and choose one (or more!) that you love.

🎅 SHOP

Find the perfect gift, but keep it anonymous! Remember, you are helping Santa fulfill wishes!

🎅 WRAP

Wrap and pack your gifts using the Operation Santa shipping guidelines.

🎅 MAIL

Bring the package to a participating post office by December 16. Remember the shipping!

  The History of USPS Operation Santa

Over 100 years ago, the United States Post Office began receiving letters addressed to Santa. These letters were sorted and set aside in "Santa's Mailroom".

1912 - Operation Santa begins when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to open up letters to Santa for employees to read and respond.

1940's - Operation Santa was opened to the general public. Charitable organizations, corporations, and regular folks across the country all participated.

2017 - The online program started in New York, so the program could grow and more people could adopt letters. Letters to Santa continued to pour in from across the country.

2019 - USPS Operation Santa expanded so that anyone in the US can fulfill someone's holiday wish.

2020 - The documentary Dear Santa premieres worldwide, sharing the journey of this 100-year holiday tradition. View it on-demand.

2021 - Santa’s helpers delivered the magic when it was needed more than ever... sending 21,275 packages to children and families across the United States.  

My favorite thing about USPS Operation Santa is that they encourage everyone to "do what's doable". Every gift is appreciated, big or small... another great lesson for everyone to remember during the holiday season.

For more information, check out the USPS Operation Santa FAQ Page!

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: If you visit the USPS Operation Santa site and find that all letters have been adopted, be sure to check back often. New letters are uploaded everyday!


Send your wish lists to Santa!

The North Pole is accepting letters!

Letters must be postmarked by December 9, 2024.

Get all the details here.


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