Write to Santa: Operation Santa Returns for 2023 Holidays

Had a rough year? Need some holiday magic? The kids want the hottest new toys? Write to Santa. It may seem early, but he starts early.

USPS Operation Santa is now accepting letters to Santa for the 2023 holiday season.

USPS Operation Santa is the beloved 111-year-old program run by the U.S. Postal Service.

Letters are accepted from everywhere in the USA and can be adopted by anyone who has successfully registered, so you can answer the wish of an underprivileged child or adult and “pay it forward”.

The letters travel to Santa’s U.S. satellite workshop, where they are opened and reviewed, personal information is redacted, and the letters are uploaded to the USPSOperationSanta.com website, where you can fulfill a wish with a couple of clicks.

USPS Operation Santa provides an online channel where people can safely and securely help children and families have a magical holiday when they otherwise might not — one letter to Santa at a time.

ecoXplorer Tip – Beware of the online “letter to Santa” scams that can be identity theft, financial theft, malware or another malicious fraud.

How to Send a Letter to Santa

USPS Operation Santa letters need to include first and last names and a complete return address: street address, apartment number (if applicable), city, state and ZIP Code.

The regular or business-size envelope must have a First-Class Mail postage stamp to travel through the Postal Service processing systems.

The envelope needs to be addressed to: SANTA CLAUS, 123 ELF ROAD, NORTH POLE 88888.

Letters received without last names and correct return addresses cannot be uploaded.

Also, letters should be legible and include specific gift details — like game and book titles, clothes and shoe sizes (include infant, toddler or teen), colors, styles, etc.

This information makes it easier for the letter adopter to know what to purchase. There is no age limit for letter writers. Everyone deserves to experience the magic of the season. Multiple letters can be put in the same envelope, but each letter must include a full name and address, and the envelope might require additional postage. And, of course, parents can write letters for their young children.

USPS Operation Santa is not a guaranteed gift-giving program. It relies solely on the generosity of strangers. It allows individuals to adopt letters written to Santa and send thoughtful, heartfelt gifts anonymously.

Letters to Santa need to be postmarked by Dec. 11. The website will open for letter adoption on Nov. 20. For more information, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.

Please Note:

The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 165 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.