Adopt Letters To Santa From Children In Your Community, Around Nation Via USPS Operation Santa, Celebrating 111 Years Of Wishes

USPS Operation Santa

3 years ago

USPS Operation Santa Letter Adoption Now Open

Program Begins Before Black Friday for First Time

From Sue Brennan, of USPS Operation Santa:

“USPS Operation Santa is not a guaranteed gift-giving program. It relies completely on the generosity of strangers to make holiday wishes come true. And this program has made tens of thousands of wishes come true.

The program is 111 years old, and it began in NYC. In 2017 we began testing a digital option in NYC only. In 2018, we added 6 other cities. In 2019, we added 11 more.

In 2020, the digital program went digital nationwide. People had to send in physical letters to Santa and potential adopters had to be verified before they could adopt a letter. In 2021, because so many people couldn’t be verified online, we added the in-person verification option as a convenience. Most adopters still get verified online.

To Combat Theft: We encourage everyone to get Informed Delivery so they know when packages are being delivered. And, our carriers leave slips all the time for customers to pick up packages at their local post office.”

Children who live in high theft areas can also request their mail be held at the post office by having their parents fill out a form. Any packages or mail that are received would then have to be picked up at the post office in person, with a valid ID. This would prevent theft of any packages ordered during the holiday season, including Operation Santa packages. .

WASHINGTON, DC — Are you interested in sending children and families some holiday magic this season? You can now adopt a letter written to Santa by going to USPSOperationSanta.com. In response to customer requests, this is the first time the U.S. Postal Service has opened the program before Black Friday.

USPS Operation Santa turns 111 years old this year. The program relies solely on random acts of kindness and the generosity of strangers. It allows people to help children and families have a magical holiday when they otherwise might not — safely and securely. USPS Operation Santa is not a guaranteed gift-giving program.

Since Sept. 18, the Postal Service has received letters from across the country and has been 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 opened, reviewed and posted on USPSOperationSanta.com. People can begin reading and adopting letters today.

Instructions for Letter Adopters

Visit USPSOperationSanta.com, register and have identity verified.

If potential adopters are unable to complete their ID verification online, they will be provided with a code and given instructions on how to complete verification in person at a local Post Office.

Once verified, the adopter will receive a welcome email with detailed information on how to participate in the program.

Potential adopters can read letters and choose one or more to fulfill. Once a letter is chosen, adopters must follow the directions they were sent in their welcome email to ship gifts.

Packages must be shipped via Priority Mail service, but gifts do not need to be in Priority Mail-branded boxes.

Letter adopters are responsible for postage fees to ship the gift packages.

Tips for Reducing Shipping Costs

Postage to ship packages is based on size, weight and distance. Here are some tips to lower costs:

Use Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, free at your local Post Office. Take a box with you when shopping and only purchase items that can fit in the box.

Adopt a letter from your state or a nearby state.

Pay careful attention to the dimensions of the gift — especially the size and weight. Shipping heavy, oversized packages can be expensive.

Consider a gift card instead of purchasing larger, heavier items. Gift cards need to be sent in a Priority Mail envelope, 4 inches by 6 inches or larger, to accommodate the shipping label.

Important Dates

Sept. 18: Postal Service began accepting letters to Santa.
Nov. 6: Registration for letter adopters opened.
Nov. 20: Letter adoption opens.
Dec. 11: Last day to send letters to Santa.
Dec. 18: Last day to adopt letters and the recommended date to ship packages.

Accept No Imitations

There is only one USPS Operation Santa program, sanctioned by the U.S. Postal Service. Fulfilling wishes through the official Postal Service program is voluntary, and any organization asking for money to adopt letters is in violation of the laws under which the Postal Service operates and is not condoned by or affiliated with the Postal Service.

For more information, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.

Banner Image: Santa Claus. Image Credit -Angel Ceballos