Make holidays bright with children
By Kristina Uppal
The holidays are in full swing. In the blink of an eye the final countdown of the season will commence, and Season’s Greetings will transform into New Year’s resolutions.
As a busy parent I know you have a to-do list that you’re checking twice (or thrice). You organize the meal planning. Finish the decorations. Make plans with friends and relatives. The list goes on and on. But what about the little moments of holiday magic spent with young ones?
The Postal Service has a few easy activities that you and your children can do together to make the season bright.
Adopt a letter from USPS Operation Santa
For more than 110 years, the Postal Service has helped fulfill hundreds of thousands of wishes from children looking for holiday magic through the USPS Operation Santa program. It provides the ability for generous people to help children and families have a magical holiday by adopting letters and anonymously sending thoughtful, heartfelt gifts to fulfill the wishes within them. Those who want to adopt a letter should create a verified account at USPSOperationSanta.com.
If you choose to adopt a letter, select one that speaks to you and is possible for you to fulfil. Bring your child along for the experience. The act of charity and goodwill toward others is a rewarding activity you can spend with your young one. Who knows better the best way to fulfil a child’s wish list than their peers? Let them know you’ve been selected as Santa’s special helper and make someone’s holiday wishes come true as a family. Use their assistance to pack and prepare the package.
Catch the new ‘Dear Santa’ series on ABC
A new miniseries about the gift-giving initiative USPS Operation Santa debuted Monday, Dec. 5, on eight local ABC stations as well as on Hulu and ABC Localish.
“Dear Santa: The Series” picks up where the 2020 documentary movie “Dear Santa” left off. The six episodes examine the program that inspires people to adopt letters and fulfill holiday wish lists of children and others who are less fortunate.
“While holiday magic is universal, the series features stories from seven to eight cities where it will premiere. That direct connection with local audiences is pure magic, just in time for the holiday season,” Disney, owner of subsidiaries ABC and Hulu, said in a statement.
The episodes showcase USPS employees in major U.S. cities and small towns filmed during the 2021 holiday season.
New episodes of the series will premiere every evening through Dec. 10, with repeat shows scheduled to stream Dec. 12-17 at 4 p.m.
Write holiday cards
Take time to write to loved ones near and far this season. As you share your news of the season and pass along your holiday greetings your child can express their creativity by drawing a picture.
When your greeting cards are tucked in their envelopes and ready to travel to your loved one take your child along for the trip to your local Post Office.
There is wide array of stamps to select for your holiday card, including our new Holiday Elves stamps. Selecting a bright and cheery holiday stamp is just another way to bring a smile to your loved one’s face when they receive your special letter in the mail.
Play a game
A great way to spend time with your young ones is by playing a game.
The Postal Service introduced The Great American Mail Race, a licensed board game, during the summer. The game allows players to race around a map of the United States using different methods — including the Pony Express, steamboats, hot air balloons and other vehicles — to deliver mail and packages.
This is just one of many games the Postal Service has released. You can also find Monopoly: U.S. Stamps Edition and mail-related puzzles at usps.com/store.
Whether you prefer to strategize or piece together the perfect puzzle, the time you spend together and memories you build will last a lifetime.
