About
Thousands of letters to Santa arrive each year. The USPS Operation Santa® program invites people to adopt and respond to them.
Our Mission
The United States Postal Service is responsible for the nation’s letters. Thousands are sent to Santa and the North Pole each year. The mission of the USPS Operation Santa program is to answer these letters.
Anyone in the United States can write a letter to Santa, no matter their religion or denomination. While it’s helped thousands of families across the U.S., the program is not a 501(c)(3) non-profit or charity organization, nor is it associated with any partners.
The History of the USPS Operation Santa Program
One holiday season, over a hundred years ago, the United States Postal Service began receiving letters addressed to Santa. These were sorted and put aside.
1912The USPS Operation Santa Initiative Begins
In 1912, Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock created Santa’s first mailroom—authorizing local postmasters to open up these letters for employees to read and respond.
1940sThe USPS Operation Santa Program Opens to the Public
In the 1940s, letters poured in, and the program was opened to the general public. Charitable organizations, corporations, and regular folks across the country all participated.
2017The USPS Operation Santa Experience Goes Online
The USPS set out to digitize the experience so more people could get involved and adopt more letters. In 2017, the online program started in New York.
2019The USPS Operation Santa Program Expands
With the lasting success of our online program, the USPS Operation Santa program has grown. Now, anyone in the U.S. can fulfill someone’s holiday wish.
2020The USPS Operation Santa Story Hits the Big Screen
The documentary Dear Santa premieres worldwide, taking audiences on a heartwarming tour of this 100-year holiday tradition. View it on-demand.
TodayUSPS Operation Santa Participants Bring the Cheer
Thanks to the generosity of adopters all over the U.S., the USPS Operation Santa program delivers joy to more doorsteps every year, making holiday wishes come true.