Still need to write to Santa Claus? Here's how to send a letter to the North Pole

The clock is ticking for families hoping to send letters to Santa Claus at the North Pole this holiday season.

Letters need to be postmarked by Monday, a spokesperson for the U. S. Postal Service confirmed with USA TODAY Thursday afternoon.

The letters can be sent as part of the Postal Service’s annual Operation Santa program, allowing children to write letters to Santa and have their letters shared online, with personal information redacted.

Other Operation Santa participants can read the letters online, “adopt” them and have gifts shipped to the individuals or families who wrote them, making their Christmas wishes come true, the Postal Service said in a news release.

Here’s what you need to know about writing to Santa and, if you'd like, adopting a letter to make sure families get what they need and want this year.

What dates should I remember for writing to Santa?

To ensure your letter gets to Santa, the Postal Service said it’s vital to remember the following dates:

◾ Monday – Last day to mail letters to Santa.

◾ Dec. 16 – Last day to adopt letters before the website closes at 8 p.m. EST.

◾ Dec. 16 – Santa’s Gift Shoppe closes.

How can I send my letter to Santa Claus?

Individuals and families who want to write to Santa will need a First-Class stamp, an envelope and paper to write their letters. The postal service has also shared downloadable templates people can use when writing to Santa.

The Postal Service said those who write in should include details about the items on their Christmas lists, including game and book titles, sizes, colors and more. The more details they include, the easier it’ll be for letter adopters to shop.

Letters should be postmarked by Monday, Dec. 9 and mailed to:

Santa

123 Elf Road

North Pole, 88888

While the Postal Service doesn't send out receipts to confirm letters were delivered or read, the letters may end up on the agency's website, and "letters are often adopted as quickly as they are uploaded," the Postal Service said.

Other tips the postal service noted are:

◾ Families writing in should group all letters into one envelope and include additional stamps depending on the weight.

◾ Organizations or classrooms should send all letters individually in standard-size letter envelopes, each with a First-Class stamp.

◾ Avoid including 3D art.

To get the full rundown on writing to Santa, visit www.uspsoperationsanta.com/getinvolved.

How can I adopt a letter and help families?

To adopt a letter, go to www.uspsoperationsanta.com, create an account and verify your identity and address.

Next, click “Adopt a letter.”

The Operation Santa website allows adopters to filter through the letters by state, language and family size. Once adopters have found letters they want to adopt, they can click the “Adopt” button and start the process.

Those who order through the shop will have the Postal Service take care of packaging and shipping on their behalf. Orders over $49 and placed through Santa’s Gift Shoppe will get free shipping, the Postal Service said.

Those who want to ship packages on their own can do that as well, the Postal Service said.

How did Operation Santa begin, and what’s new this year?

Operation Santa was created in 1912 when the Postal Service began receiving letters addressed to Santa. 

Workers sorted the letters and set them aside, leading Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock to create Santa’s first mailroom. Local postmasters then began opening the letters and responding, the Postal Service wrote on its website, chronicling the birth of the Christmas tradition.

Now, 112 years later, anyone in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can participate and the Postal Service has announced a new feature that promises to make it easier to support families writing to Santa. 

The Postal Service has launched an online catalog called Santa’s Gift Shoppe where letter adopters can make purchases as part of Operation Santa. 

The Postal Service said in its news release that Santa’s Gift Shoppe is a team effort with retail toy giant Toys "R" Us. Within the online catalog, Operation Santa participants will be able to find toys and gifts from Toys “R” Us that can then be sent via the Postal Service.

“We’re thrilled to bring an easier way for generous people to make a difference,” Postal Service Marketing Vice President Sheila Holman said in the news release. “With the launch of this new e-commerce platform, we’re making it simpler than ever to help fulfill wishes and spread holiday joy.”

The Postal Service said it hopes to expand its online catalog to include clothing, shoes, books and more. The Operation Santa program will also be featured in a new season of “Dear Santa, The Series” on ABC-owned television stations and Hulu. 

Letters submitted this year are available to read or adopt at www.uspsoperationsanta.com/letters, while Santa’s Gift Shoppe can be found at www.tinyurl.com/USPSGifts.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].