There's nothing quite like Christmas morning! For kids, one of the best parts is well, a visit from Jolly Old St. Nick himself!
Ree once said of the Drummond Christmas traditions: "I always loved hearing them as they woke up and waited; you could feel the impatience and anticipation in the air... our first order of business is opening presents. Everyone is in holiday pajamas (even me!) and although I start out by announcing we're going to open things one at a time, it usually turns into a gift-opening fest and it's all over in four minutes. Never fails."
But before Santa Claus can come to town, he has to make his list and check it twice. And before that, he has to know what every good little girl and boy is hoping to wake up to on Christmas morning. After all, there are so many delightful Christmas toys to choose from—and seeing what's been left under the tree is one of the most magical moments of the holiday.
So how can you make sure Kris Kringle knows which of the best gifts and stocking stuffers to bring your kiddo? You write him a letter, of course! The North Pole is now accepting wishlists from little ones through the United States Postal Service, making it easier than ever to get a message to the big man. Keep reading to learn how to write letters to Santa and where to send those letters. We've even created the most adorably festive templates that you can print, fill out, then put in the mailbox. We know he's anxiously awaiting to hear from you.
Download the Santa letter templates here.
How do I write a letter to Santa?
Santa Claus has been making Christmas wishes come true for as long as we can remember—and for the last 100 years, the United States Postal Service has helped get those wishes right to his workshop. Here's how it works: kiddos will write a letter, stick it in an envelope with Santa's address, then send it! USPS Operation Santa will use a little Christmas magic to do the rest.
For the letter itself, break out the markers and paper, then get creative! Santa Claus receives a lot of letters each year, so you'll want to make it special. When it comes to writing, you can create a gift wishlist or just write a sweet Christmas message. Santa will love either! If you choose to ask for a few presents, be sure to list the gifts you want in order of preferences, be specific about what you want, and don't ask for gifts that are too expensive. Santa has to deliver to everyone, you know.
Most importantly, you'll want to write legibly and be sure to include your full name and address in the letter. If you want to decorate your letter to Santa, feel free—he loves all things merry and bright! Think: drawings, stickers, glitter, and more. Just be sure to leave out any 3D art as heavier letters are hard for the elves to deliver. Oh! And be sure Santa and his elves have enough time to make your gift by getting your letter written and postmarked by December 11.
Where can I send Santa his letter?
So, where should you send your letter? According to USPS, Santa's official mailing address is:
Santa
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888
That's what you'll need to write on the envelope! To ensure Santa receives your note, double check that you've written his address correctly. You'll also need to include your full name and return address (including any building or apartment numbers) in the upper left corner of the envelope, and attach a First-Class stamp in the upper right corner. Lastly, place it in the mailbox or drop it off at your local post office. Next thing you know, your letter will be en route to The North Pole.
A few other things to note: If several family members are sending letters, you can include all of them in one envelope, but you'll need to use additional stamps depending on the weight. If letters are being written and sent from an organization or classroom, send each letter individually.
What is Operation Santa?
Thousands of letters to Santa arrive at USPS each year, and now, the Operation Santa program lets people adopt and respond to those letters. According to USPS, if you send a letter to Santa's address listed above, it will be sorted, read, and published on the USPS Operation Santa website (with personal information redacted, so it's perfectly safe). Then, adopters can browse letters and respond with gifts and a note.
You can submit a letter even if you don’t have a USPS Operation Santa account—any letters sent to the address above that include a stamp will be included on the site. Though, the USPS cannot guarantee receipt of letters or that an adopter will choose your letter.
Other Ways to Send a Letter to Santa
If you don't want your wishlist to be a part of the program, there are a few other ways to send a letter to Santa! If your family has an Elf on the Shelf, you can simply leave your letter with your Scout Elf and they will fly it back to The North Pole during one of their overnight trips to report to the big man. We're sure he'll also be told you're on the nice list! You could also personally hand it to Santa himself at one of the many places you can meet him. Or just simply stick your note in the mailbox without a stamp. No matter how you send your letter, special holiday spirit will guide it on its way!
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
