USPS Operation Santa Is Back 9/14 – And You Can Play Santa This Year!
Here’s how you can participate in the USPS Operation Santa letter submission & adoption program.
The USPS is bringing back its Operation Santa program this year, helping make the holidays a little more magical for kids in need! Children can write letters to Santa starting September 14th, and you’ll be able to “adopt” letters beginning November 16th.
You’ll have until December 12th at 8 p.m. ET to adopt a letter. That’s also the last day to ship your gifts, so be sure to give yourself enough time to get everything postmarked by December 12th.
What’s new this year for Operation Santa:
Team Adoption: Want to play Santa with your family, friends, or coworkers? Groups can now adopt an entire household together using a shared invite link.
Expanded Santa’s Gift Shoppe: You can now shop for gifts directly through the expanded Operation Santa online catalog, featuring Toys “R” Us items. Then ship them – no post office visit required! Orders over $49 qualify for free shipping and delivery.
Easy QR Code Shipping: Shopping in-store? You can buy your gifts and use a digital QR code at participating Post Office locations to instantly print encrypted shipping labels.
Here are the dates you need to know in 2026:
- September 14th: Letters to Santa are accepted.
- November 2nd: Registration opens for those who want to fulfill letters.
- November 16th: Letter adoption starts.
- December 5th: Last call for letters for Santa.
- December 12th: Last call for letter adopters and last date to ship gifts to arrive by Christmas.
Want to mail in a letter? Letters to Santa must be postmarked by December 5th to be eligible for adoption and fulfillment.
What is Operation Santa?
Every year, the USPS receives tons of hopeful letters to Santa. Instead of discarding these heartfelt letters, the USPS decided to respond, and the initiative became known as Operation Santa.
The USPS now collects letters and holiday wish lists from families all over the country. Once the letters are accepted and the writers’ personal information is removed, they’re put “up for adoption” on the USPS website, where generous folks from across the US can see them.
Those who wish to participate can adopt up to 15 letters, purchase the child’s wish list items, and get the gifts to the families with a little help from the USPS. It’s a safe way to spread holiday cheer and to help other families have the best holiday possible. ♥
Looking to submit a wish list?
Through December 5th, you can write your letter to Santa, enclose it in an envelope with a First-Class Mail stamp, fill in your complete return address, including apartment number and directional information (if necessary, ex., E Main St, Apt 103), and ZIP code, and mail it to Santa’s official workshop address:
Santa Claus
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888
For a family, group all your family’s letters in one envelope and include additional stamps, depending on the weight of your envelope.
If you’d like some inspiration and tips, the USPS has a helpful guide for writing the perfect letter to Santa!
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