Letters to Santa Add Magic To The Holidays

And a letter from Santa is even better!

Washington Courthouse, OH — The Washington Courthouse Post Office is encouraging youngsters to bring their letters to Santa to the Washington County Courthouse Parade on November 23.  Postal Service representatives and some of Santa’s helpers will be on hand to collect the letters to Santa for delivery to the North Pole.  While Santa receives most of his mail at the North Pole, AK, some are sent to Santa’s helpers. 

“Every year thousands of postal employees, charitable organizations, corporations and individuals participate in making children’s holiday wishes come true by answering the letters to Santa that the Postal Service receives and makes available to the public,” says Postmaster Matt Doherty.  The Postal Service receives millions of letters addressed to Santa Claus.  It all started back in 1912 when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow individuals and institutions to use letters addressed to Santa Claus for philanthropic purposes.

“The Postal Service is proud of the role we play in making these letters to Santa available and facilitating their distribution to the public to answer,” says Doherty.   “Whether it means helping a struggling single-parent household during the holidays or just encouraging a child to keep up the good work in school, answering these letters to Santa is what this time of year is all about.” Note: Documentation must be completed and signed in person and valid photo identification presented to adopt a Santa letter.

Like all mail, it’s important that letters to Santa include a complete return address with ZIP Code and a First-Class postage stamp. Santa enjoys candy canes and cookies, and his reindeer are known to enjoy fresh hay. But because these treats can be damaged or crushed when sent in an envelope, postal officials know that such treats are best left under the tree on Christmas Eve. 

There are simple steps for families to follow if they are interested in having a “response” from Santa postmarked from the North Pole.  Parents, families or friends helping a child write a letter to Santa should mention some of the child’s requests and information in the letter from Santa. Adding a line or two about the child’s accomplishments or successes this year is encouraged.  Once the response is written, place the letter in a stamped envelope addressed to the child. Use the child’s return address. Then place the envelope into a larger, properly stamped, First-Class Mail or Priority Mail envelope and mail to:

North Pole Christmas Cancellation
Postmaster
5400 Mail Trail
Fairbanks, AK  99709-9998

North Pole postmark requests must arrive in Fairbanks, AK, before Dec. 15. Parents should send letters by Priority Mail after that date.  For bigger “kids,” several cities participate in the holiday re-mailing, including Bethlehem, PA; Garland, UT; Nazareth, MI; Antler, ND and Snowflake, AZ. For a complete list of cities participating in the re-mailing program, visit the Holiday Press Room at usps.com and click on “Holiday Cities.”  Those interested in having postmarks from these cities should place all addressed and stamped cards and letters in a larger envelope addressed to Postmaster and include city, state and ZIP Code. Use the ZIP Code Locator on usps.com if a ZIP Code is unknown. Please note: For a complete list of cities participating in the re-mailing program, visit the Holiday Press Room at usps.com and click on “Holiday Cities.”