USPS launches online catalog for Operation Santa

Nov 29, 2024, 9 AM

By Linn’s Staff

The United States Postal Service is launching a new online catalog for its Operation Santa children’s gift program, the USPS said in a Nov. 18 press release.

Santa’s Gift Shoppe is an “online option developed exclusively for USPS Operation Santa letter adopters, powered by Toys ‘R’ Us, just in time for the [Nov. 18] start of the program’s first day of letter adoption,” according to the Postal Service.

The online catalog helps Operation Santa letter adopters “to find something special for each letter writer, while the integration with shipping options from the Postal Service, such as USPS Ground Advantage, helps ensure that gifts are affordable to ship and arrive in time for the holidays,” the USPS said.

“USPS Operation Santa has connected communities through holiday goodwill for over a century,” said Sheila Holman, vice president of marketing for the USPS. “This year, through our collaboration with Toys ‘R’ Us, we’re thrilled to bring an easier way for generous people to make a difference.”

Linn’s provided details about the 2024 Operation Santa mailing season in the Oct. 14 issue.

During Operation Santa, children write letters to Santa Claus to express their holiday desires. The letters are sent to Santa’s official address, according to the USPS.

The letters are then opened and reviewed. Personal information is redacted before the letters are made available for adoption on the Operation Santa website.

“Generous individuals, families and organizations can browse the letters, adopt one or more of them and fulfill the child’s holiday wishes,” the Postal Service said.

Letters containing Christmas wish lists must include the writer’s first and last names and a complete return address.

The return address should contain a street address, apartment number (if applicable), city, state and ZIP code.

The letter must carry a forever stamp and should be addressed to Santa, 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. Letters to Santa must be postmarked by Dec. 9.

Registration opened for letter adopters on Nov. 4, and the adoption period began Nov. 18.

Dec. 16 is the last day to adopt letters. The USPS recommends mailing packages containing gifts from the wish lists by that date.

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