The United States Postal Service (USPS) is once again helping deliver holiday magic as its annual “Operation Santa” program kicks off Monday, giving people across the nation the chance to fulfill the wishes of children and families this Christmas season.
The program, which dates back to 1912 when then-Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized post offices to respond to letters addressed to Santa, has grown into a nationwide initiative connecting generous individuals, businesses, and organizations with children hoping for a special holiday surprise.
Anyone in the U.S. can participate by either writing a letter to Santa or adopting a letter to fulfill a child’s wish.
Children should send their letters to:
Santa
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888
Once letters are received, the USPS processes them and uploads them to the official Operation Santa website. When adoption opens, volunteers—known as “Santa’s helpers”—can read through the letters, choose which ones to adopt, and send gifts directly to the families.
Important Dates and Deadlines
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Letter Adoption Begins: November 17, 2025
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Letter Submission Deadline: December 6, 2025 (must be postmarked by this date)
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Gift Shipping Deadline: December 13, 2025
Participants are encouraged to include return addresses on their letters and be specific about what’s on their wish lists, making it easier for adopters to shop for the right items.
This year, adopters can also fulfill wishes for multiple members of a household by selecting a family letter. Letters can be filtered by state, family size, and language—either English or Spanish—making it easier for volunteers to find the right match.
To adopt a letter, participants must create and verify an account on the USPS Operation Santa website. Early adoption and shipping are recommended to ensure families receive gifts on time.
For more information, visit the official USPS Operation Santa website.
