USPS Operation Santa
holiday_giving_opportunities

Artistic rendering โ€“ Event may differ

USPS Operation Santa

Nationwide letter-writing and gift-fulfillment program for children.

About

Participate in the heartwarming 113-year-old tradition of USPS Operation Santa. Children and families can write letters to Santa, sharing their holiday wishes, with letters accepted until December 6th. Generous individuals and organizations can adopt these letters starting November 17th, fulfilling wishes through an expanded online gift catalog or by shopping independently. This program brings communities together to make the holidays brighter for many.

Our Take

Family Friendly

๐ŸŽ„ ๐ŸŽ„ ๐ŸŽ„ ๐ŸŽ„ ๐ŸŽ„ (5/5)

Best For

Families, children, gift-givers

Vibe

Heartwarming, generous, community-focused

Energy Level

Low

Budget

FREE

Photo Friendly

๐Ÿ“ท ๐Ÿ“ท ๐Ÿ“ท ๐Ÿ“ท ๐Ÿ“ท (1/5)

Weather Sensitivity

Not applicable

Special Events & Promotions

  • Expanded online gift catalog for 2025
  • Option to adopt family letters
  • Community and team adoption opportunities

Tags

holiday giving opportunitiesSanta visitsfamily friendlycharity eventcommunity celebrationholiday traditionseasonal activitiesgift ideaschildrens activities

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly.

Location

Washington, DC

Event Details

Pricing

FREE

Duration

Seasonal (September - December)

Ages

All ages

Timed Entry

No

Organizer

U.S. Postal Service

Practical Information

Pet Policy

No pets allowed

Food & Drink

Not specified

Tips & Advice

  • To ensure your letter reaches Santa in time for adoption, mail it by December 6th, following the program's guidelines available on USPSOperationSanta.com.
  • Consider adopting a family letter to fulfill the wishes of multiple children within a single household, maximizing your impact.
  • Sign up for program updates on USPSOperationSanta.com to be notified when registration opens for adopters and when letters become available.
  • Utilize the expanded online gift catalog for a streamlined shopping and shipping experience, making it easier to send gifts directly.
  • If shopping independently, ensure gifts are shipped by the recommended date of December 13th for expected delivery before December 25th.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I write and send my letter to Santa?

Letters can be written and mailed starting September 15th, with the last day to send them being December 6th.

When does letter adoption begin?

Letter adoption begins on November 17th, allowing individuals and organizations to select letters to fulfill.

What are the options for fulfilling wishes?

You can fulfill wishes through the convenient online gift catalog, Santa's Gift Shoppe, or by shopping for gifts independently and shipping them.

Can I fulfill wishes for more than one person?

Yes, you have the option to adopt a family letter, which allows you to fulfill the wishes of multiple people within a single household.

What is the deadline for shipping gifts?

The recommended last day to ship gifts is December 13th to ensure they arrive before December 25th.

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Contributors & Updates

Last Updated: Oct 23, 2025
Original Submitter: Sep 17, 2025 The ChristmasLocal.com editorial team

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