USPS Operation Santa officially opened for letter adoption on Nov. 17, with the program urging participants to consider fulfilling family wish lists this season.
“Every year, we receive far more letters than those adopting, so if you have the means, we encourage you to adopt a letter,” said Sheila Holman, the Postal Service’s marketing vice president. “And this year, we’re making it easier for groups to adopt family letters — making the holidays brighter for everyone in a household. And they’re fun and easy to complete with friends or co-workers.”
The new team option works like this: A team “admin” invites people to fulfill a family’s wishes. Each teammate claims the letter that speaks to them. Any unclaimed letters are adopted by the admin to make sure each person’s wishes are granted.
Another assist: An expanded Santa’s Gift Shoppe, the program’s online catalog, powered by Toys R Us. The catalog offers letter adopters a quick, easy way to find age-appropriate gifts, streamlines shipping and is a boon to those who want to fulfill multiple letters — including family letters — in one session.
“You can adopt single or family letters as a team, shop for the perfect gift quickly and easily online, and get gifts delivered directly from Santa’s Gift Shoppe, all from the comfort and convenience of home,” Holman said.
More information is available on the USPS Operation Santa website.
Letters to Santa should be postmarked no later than Saturday, Dec. 6. Letter adopters should send gifts by Saturday, Dec. 13.
