We Believe in Santa! Directions on Getting a Letter From Santa Postmarked from the North Pole

This is the first year that Maggie and Alex wanted to send a letter to Santa. Their friends at school must have been talking about their lists and mailing them, because they both have been practicing writing “Santa” and asking daily when they can make their list to send along. We used the adorable Santa letter template Julie created (click here for the free printable). As soon as we finished Maggie asked “will he write back?”

Then, the following day, a friend forwarded me the directions from the USPS on how to have Santa write back with a letter postmarked from the North Pole. I followed the directions (listed below) and can’t wait to see their faces when their reply arrives in our mailbox. It’s a wonderful program that the USPS does around the holidays. They want to see children’s reactions when they get the letters, so you can share them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #SantaLetters.

Here’s how to get your postmarked letter:

1. Have your child write a letter to Santa and seal it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.

2. Later, open the envelope, read the letter and write Santa’s response on the back of the child’s letter. Have Santa write: “It’s important to be green and save paper. That’s why I’m writing on the back.”

3. Place the letter into a new envelope addressed to the child at his or her home. Be sure to include: Santa Claus, North Pole, as the return address on the envelope. Don’t forget to apply a First-Class stamp.

4. Place the stamped envelope in a larger envelope (or Priority Mail envelope) with adequate postage addressed to:

NORTH POLE HOLIDAY POSTMARK

POSTMASTER

4141 POSTMARK DR.

ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998

Letters from Santa must be received by the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than Dec. 15.

The Anchorage Postmaster will then open the envelope, remove Santa’s letter addressed to your child, apply the North Pole postmark and mail it back home.

Don’t forget: when Santa’s letter arrives, snap some pictures and share using hashtag #SantaLetters.

For official directions and details, visit the USPS site.