n Hundreds of thousands of children of all ages send letters to “Santa Claus, North Pole, Alaska” every year.
n Unless these letters contain a complete Alaska address, they remain in the area they were mailed.
n Postal “elves” go through the letters and separate those that wish Santa a happy birthday from those that express serious need.
Guidelines — In 2006, national policy guidelines were created regarding the handling and adoption of letters addressed to Santa. These guidelines were designed to protect the children who wrote to Santa and mandated that individuals wishing to adopt letters must do so in person, present valid photo identification and fill out a form that includes the list of letters being adopted.
In 2009, the Postal Service changed the letter adoption process by blacking out all reference to the child’s address and assigning the letter a number. Individuals interested in adopting letters go to the Post Office, select the letter(s), and sign the form. When the individual is set to fulfill the child’s wishes, he or she returns with the letter and/or item to be mailed and brings it to a postal employee. The postal employee matches the number on the letter with the child’s address and weighs the package. The individual pays for the postage. A Postal Service employee prints and applies a label to the package without the customer seeing the child’s address.
Local Programs — Historically, Post Offices around the country have partnered with various groups and organizations for charitable purposes and on community projects that have a positive impact on the community at large and on the residents specifically — our intent is to continue to do so now and in the future.
People, Community, and Social Responsibility — The Postal Service and its employees play important roles in communities around the nation. Postal employees live in the communities where they work. Their children attend school there. They shop in the local stores. They eat in the restaurants. They actively participate in the community. It makes sense for postal employees to want to help their fellow citizens, especially during the holiday season. Through the Letters to Santa program, the Postal Service also helps to promote literacy. A letter to Santa is often a child’s first written correspondence.
Santa Makes Stops in Retail — To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Letters to Santa program, the Postal Service will offer a variety of products reasonably priced and simply adorable. Look for them at select Post Offices featuring the Letters to Santa holiday gift center containing ten Letters to Santa products. The products will also be available at www.usps.com/shop.
The ready-to-ship In the Mailbox Milk and Cookies Set includes everything you need to leave Santa a snack on Christmas Eve: a melamine cup, a melamine plate, and two cookie cutters — all featuring artwork derived from the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps.
Find it in select retail locations and at The Postal
Store on USPS.com.
This metal ornament features the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Postal Service Letters to Santa program. It’s the perfect addition to any tree.
Find it in select retail locations, in the USA Philatelic Catalog, and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
The ready-to-ship In the Mailbox Holiday Bear holds a red gift tied with a green ribbon to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Letters to Santa program. The right paw of this adorable brown bear also features the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamp.
Find it in select retail locations and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
The Letters to Santa Children’s Book tells how Santa makes children’s dreams come true with help from the Postal Service. The book celebrates the 100th anniversary of the USPS Letters to Santa program and includes four pieces of stationery, four sticker sheets, and two envelopes, so kids can write to Santa. All artwork is derived from the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps.
Find it in select retail locations, in the USA Philatelic Catalog, and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
Keep track of who has been naughty and who has been nice with this 9.5-inch high x 2.75-inch wide, 70-page magnetic note pad and candy cane pen. The note pad celebrates the 100th anniversary of the USPS Letters to Santa program with artwork derived from the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps.
Find it in select retail locations and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
The Letters to Santa Pocket Notes are great for making lists of holiday errands and presents that still must be bought. Each pocket note is a 75-sheet pad of pocket-able paper with a magnetic clasp to secure the note pad. Letters to Santa pocket notes are perfect stocking stuffers. The pocket notes features artwork derived from the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps.
Find them in select retail locations and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
The Letters to Santa Writing Kit is a great way for children to write their gift wish list for Santa’s consideration. The kit includes everything a child needs to write to Santa, including 2 letters (1 blank and 1 fill-in-the-blank), 2 envelopes, 2 coloring sheets, 4-pack Crayola crayons, and a sheet of stickers. The writing kit features artwork derived from the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps.
Find it in select retail locations and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
The three Letters to Santa small gift bags are perfect for stocking stuffers and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the USPS Letters to Santa program with artwork derived from the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps.
Find them in select retail locations and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
The Letters to Santa gift tags add beauty to any gift and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the USPS Letters to Santa program with artwork derived from the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever.
Find them in select retail locations and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
The Letters to Santa package stickers add beauty to any gift and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the USPS Letters to Santa program with artwork derived from the Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps.
Find them in select retail locations and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
The Letters to Santa Tote Bag is great for gifts or for carrying holiday cards to the Post Office. The tote bags feature artwork derived from the 2012 Santa and Sleigh Forever stamps.
Find it in select retail locations and at The Postal Store on USPS.com.
