USPS Operation Santa (2025 Guide): How It Works, Deadlines, and How to Adopt Letters
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USPS Operation Santa is a free, official USPS Christmas program (not to be confused with private "adopt-a-family" programs). This guide explains how the official USPS program works and how to participate safely. Children and families write letters to Santa, which USPS posts online for volunteers to adopt and fulfill. For 2025: Letters can be sent starting September 15, adopter registration begins November 3, letter adoption starts November 17, last day to send letters is December 6, and the last day to adopt/ship gifts is December 13.
USPS Operation Santa is one of the oldest and most beloved holiday letter adoption programs in America. For over 111 years, this official USPS Christmas program has helped connect children and families in need with generous volunteers who adopt their Santa letter requests and send gifts. This guide covers everything you need to know about Operation Santa 2025—how to write letters, how to adopt letters, key deadlines, and how the program keeps children safe.
📋 Table of Contents
What Is Operation Santa?
USPS Operation Santa is a charitable program run by the United States Postal Service that connects children and families in need with volunteers who want to help during the holiday season.
🎅 Program Overview
- • Over 111 years old — one of America's oldest charitable traditions
- • Official USPS program — managed directly by the U.S. Postal Service
- • Letters from children and families — written to Santa asking for help
- • Volunteers adopt letters — generous people fulfill wishes
- • Entirely donation-driven — no government funding for gifts
- • Privacy protected — all identifying information is removed
The program started in 1912 when postal workers in New York began answering letters addressed to Santa Claus. Today, the program operates nationally and has helped millions of families receive gifts during the holidays.
Is Operation Santa Real?
Yes, Operation Santa is absolutely real. It's an official program operated by the United States Postal Service—not a private charity or third-party organization.
✅ Why You Can Trust It
- • Operated by USPS — a federal government agency
- • 111+ year track record — running since 1912
- • Official website — uspsoperationsanta.com
- • ID verification for adopters — prevents fraud
- • Privacy protections — children's information is never shared
- • Millions of letters fulfilled — proven history of success
Be aware of scams that try to imitate Operation Santa. The only legitimate program is run through USPS at uspsoperationsanta.com.
How Operation Santa Works (2025)
The process is straightforward for both letter writers and adopters:
📬 Step-by-Step Process
- 1Child writes letter — Kids or families write a letter to Santa explaining their wishes and needs
- 2Parent mails letter — Letter is sent to the official USPS Operation Santa address
- 3USPS processes letter — Staff anonymize the letter (remove identifying info) and upload it to the portal
- 4Volunteer adopts letter — Verified adopters browse letters online and choose one to fulfill
- 5Gifts are purchased and mailed — Adopter buys items and ships via USPS
- 6USPS delivers package — Package is delivered anonymously to the child's home
The entire process is designed to protect children's privacy while making it easy for generous volunteers to help families in need.
2025 Mailing Address for Operation Santa
Mail your Operation Santa letters to this official address:
📮 Official Mailing Address
USPS Operation Santa
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888
Note: This is the real, official USPS-provided address—not a fictional placeholder. Once USPS receives and processes your letter, it's digitally uploaded to the adoption portal. The physical letter is kept secure and never shared with adopters.
Need help addressing your envelope? Per USPS guidelines, include your full first and last name plus complete return address on the envelope so USPS can route any gifts back to you.
2025 Key Deadlines
Mark these important dates on your calendar for Operation Santa 2025:
| Event | 2025 Date | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| Letters can be sent starting | September 15, 2025 | Families |
| Adopter registration/ID verification begins | November 3, 2025 | Volunteers |
| Letter adoption starts | November 17, 2025 | Volunteers |
| Last day to send letters (postmarked) | December 6, 2025 | Families |
| Last day to adopt letters & ship gifts | December 13, 2025 | Volunteers |
⚠️ Important Notes
- • Always verify dates at uspsoperationsanta.com as they may be adjusted
- • Priority Mail is recommended for gift shipments to ensure delivery by Christmas
- • Don't forget to account for postal holidays when planning your mailing
- • Not all letters are posted — USPS reviews letters and may not upload every submission
How to Write an Operation Santa Letter (Kids or Families)
Writing a letter to Operation Santa is simple, but following these guidelines helps ensure your letter gets posted and adopted:
✅ Do Include
- • Polite greeting to Santa
- • Needs before wants — mention essentials like warm clothes, shoes, school supplies first
- • Specific requests — sizes, colors, types when relevant
- • First name only in the letter body — keep the letter itself anonymous
- • Full name + complete return address on envelope — per USPS guidelines, the envelope must have your full first and last name plus complete mailing address
- • Decorations optional — drawings and stickers are fine
❌ Don't Include in the Letter Body
- • Last names (keep your full name only on the envelope)
- • Phone numbers
- • Email addresses
- • Social media accounts
- • School names
- • Any identifying information in the letter beyond first name, age, and general details
💡 Tips for a Great Letter
- • Let children write in their own words — authenticity matters
- • Mention ages and sizes for clothing requests
- • Be realistic — adopters are individuals, not corporations
- • Say thank you — gratitude makes letters more appealing to adopt
- • Mail early — letters mailed earlier have more time to be adopted
Need help with the basics? See our guide on how to mail a letter.
How to Adopt a Letter (Volunteers)
Want to help a family this holiday season? Here's how to become an Operation Santa adopter:
📋 Steps to Adopt a Letter
- 1Create an account — Visit uspsoperationsanta.com and register
- 2Complete ID verification — USPS requires identity verification to protect children
- 3Browse available letters — Read through anonymized letters once the portal opens
- 4Choose a letter to adopt — Select one that matches what you can provide
- 5Purchase the requested items — Buy gifts that match the child's wishes
- 6Ship via USPS by the deadline — Use Priority Mail to ensure timely delivery
🎁 Adopter Tips
- • Set a budget first — choose a letter you can comfortably fulfill
- • Include needs AND wants when possible — children appreciate both
- • Ship early — don't wait until the last day
- • Use Priority Mail — the recommended shipping method
- • Keep gifts appropriate — no food, gift cards with balances, or age-inappropriate items
- • Ship at a Post Office — packages must be mailed at your local Post Office counter, not dropped in blue collection boxes
Privacy & Child Safety Rules
USPS takes child safety seriously. Here's how the program protects families:
🔒 Privacy Protections
- • USPS removes all identifying information — Last names, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal details are stripped from letters before posting
- • Volunteers never see children's real information — Adopters only see first names and general location (city/state)
- • Adopters never see return addresses — USPS assigns unique codes for routing, so volunteers never know where packages are going
- • All packages are routed through USPS anonymously — Adopters ship to a USPS facility, which then forwards packages to families
- • ID verification required — Adopters must verify their identity before participating
- • No direct contact allowed — Adopters and families never communicate directly
These protections ensure that generous volunteers can help families while maintaining complete anonymity for children and their parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to participate in Operation Santa?
Writing letters is completely free for families—just pay for postage to mail your letter. For adopters, there are no fees to join or adopt a letter, but you're responsible for purchasing and shipping the gifts.
Can adults write letters to Operation Santa?
The program primarily focuses on children and families with children. However, adults writing on behalf of their family (including their own needs) are welcome. Letters from senior citizens or adults in difficult circumstances are sometimes accepted—check the official website for current guidelines.
Can businesses adopt multiple letters?
Yes, businesses and organizations can adopt multiple letters. Many companies make Operation Santa part of their holiday giving programs. Each letter still requires individual fulfillment and shipping.
What shipping method should I use for gifts?
USPS recommends Priority Mail for Operation Santa packages. This ensures timely delivery and includes tracking. Learn more about USPS mail services to choose the best option.
Are Operation Santa donations tax-deductible?
No, gifts sent through Operation Santa are not tax-deductible. USPS is a government agency, not a registered 501(c)(3) charity. You're sending gifts directly to families, not donating to an organization. If you need a tax-deductible donation, consider giving to a registered charity instead.
What if my letter doesn't get adopted?
Unfortunately, not every letter gets adopted—it depends on volunteer participation. Mail your letter early to maximize the chance of adoption. USPS does not guarantee that every letter will be fulfilled.
Can I adopt more than one letter?
Yes, individuals and businesses can adopt multiple letters. Many companies make Operation Santa part of their holiday giving programs. Each letter still requires individual fulfillment and shipping through USPS.
Where do I track my Operation Santa package?
Track your Operation Santa package using the USPS Tracking number from your shipping receipt. Visit usps.com or use the USPS mobile app—see our tracking guide for step-by-step instructions. Priority Mail packages include tracking automatically.
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Last updated: • USPS Operation Santa 2025 Guide
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