Spread Holiday Cheer: How to Write A Letter to Santa via USPS Operation Santa

Updated as of 11/13/2025

As we make our way into the holiday season, the spirit of giving comes to the forefront of our minds. Children all over the world are on their best behavior, avoiding Santa’s naughty list. A tradition that we continue to carry on is writing letters to Santa. For over a century, USPS has been making this possible with their special program: USPS Operation Santa. This heartwarming initiative allows people all around the country to help children and families in need during the holidays by adopting letters and fulfilling wishes. Read on to learn more about this program and how to write a letter to Santa!

History of Operation Santa

Over 100 years ago, USPS Operation Santa began when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock allowed local postal employees to open and reply to letters addressed to Santa Claus. As more and more children sent letters, volunteers from the community expanded the program and they were encouraged to help bring these requests to fruition. With new technology, the process of receiving and responding to letters has evolved, but the mission remains the same: to spread joy and kindness by connecting generous folks with those that are in need.

How Does USPS Operation Santa Work?

On an annual basis, a huge amount of letters are addressed to Santa and received at local post offices around the country. These letters come from hopeful children (and even adults) in need, with requests for holiday gifts or basic necessities. For those who choose to respond and help these families in need, they offer some hope and joy during what can be a challenging Christmas season.

Here’s a look at the basic process:

1. Write a letter: From children to adults and families to classrooms, people can write heartfelt letters to Santa Claus. Once complete, the letters should be mailed to Santa Claus at:
   Santa Claus
   123 Elf Road
   North Pole, 88888
2. Post Office reviews letters: The USPS workers will collect and review all letters to make sure that they are appropriate and meet the official guidelines. Personal information is redacted for privacy, and then the letters will be uploaded to the USPS Operation Santa website.
3. Adopt a letter: This year, starting November 17, 2025, letters will be made available and readable on the official USPS Operation Santa website. Everyone is encouraged to browse the letters and select one (or more) to adopt and shop for.
4. Sending gift(s): Adopted letters have their gift(s) purchased, and then get packaged for shipping using the USPS provided label. The postal service will then make the final delivery to the lucky recipient(s).

This is a simple yet powerful way to give back, and allows anyone to make a meaningful impact on someone’s holiday.

How To Write A Letter to Santa

Santa can’t wait to hear from you! To participate in this special program, simply write a letter to Santa and mail it to him. However, don’t forget to include relevant details, such as your age, shoe or clothing size, and home address. If you are a family, you can include all of your letters in one envelope; don’t forget to include additional postage if it gets heavier than 1 oz. This year, your letters should be postmarked by December 6, 2025. Although, the sooner your letter is received, the more likely it is to be adopted and fulfilled by Christmas.

What To Include In A Letter to Santa

While you can let your imagination run wild with your choice of colors, decorations, stickers, and more, don’t forget to include the following key parts to make sure your letter is well-received:

• Greeting (Dear Santa, for example)
• Introduction (My name is Bradley, for example)
• Why should Santa visit you (I have been good this year, for example)
• What you want (Toys and clothes, for example)
• Some detail (Shoe or clothing size, for example)
• Closing (Thank you Santa, for example)
• Signature (Love Bradley, for example, with your full home address)

For those looking for an easy start, we at Hyegraph do sell letter-writing kits that include a card and pre-addressed envelope to Santa Claus. All you need to do is fill out the card, your return address, and then stamp and mail it off. However, USPS also has FREE Santa letter templates available on their website that you can download and print at home at your convenience. You can see images of the free templates below.

Example of How To Write A Letter to Santa

Pictured above is the letter-writing kit of a card template and pre-printed envelope that we have for sale at Hyegraph. This ready-to-use set makes a great gift for kids and is a fun activity to share in together. Ask questions, such as “What does it mean to write a letter to Santa?” and “What do we want to ask Santa for?” and allow reflection on what we have, what we are thankful for, and what we might wish for.

How You Can Help

If you would like to participate and help fulfill wishes, visit the USPS Operation Santa website and click “Read Letters“. You’ll need to create an account and get it verified to be ready for letter adoption. For 2025, letters will be up starting November 17, 2025. Once you’ve selected the letter(s) you’d like to fulfill, you adopt them and shop for the perfect gift(s). Ship them from your local Post Office location and they will arrive to the recipient as if they came from Santa himself!

2025 Operation Santa Deadlines

• September 15, 2025: The holiday season begins, and USPS begins accepting letters to Santa Claus.
• November 3, 2025: Registration opens for letter adopters.
• November 17, 2025: Adoption starts. Read letters and choose which one(s) you’d like to fulfill.
• December 6, 2025: Last call to mail in your letters to Santa!
• December 13, 2025: This is the recommended last day to ship your gifts by for estimated delivery before Christmas.

USPS Operation Santa Frequently Asked Questions

To learn more about this very special program, head on over to the USPS Operation Santa official FAQ for the latest information. We hope that this was informative, and will inspire you to participate by writing a letter to Santa, or better yet, read letters that are received and fulfill some wishes during this holiday season. We are better together, and sometimes a little helping hand goes a long way to make a person’s entire year.