How to write a letter to Santa - and get one back

File photo

Credit: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Credit: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

File photo

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And the Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child's letter to Santa — complete with the North Pole Postmark.

Here's how it works:

Have the child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.

Write a personalized response to the child's letter and sign it "From Santa." See sample responses from Santa below.

Insert both letters into an envelope, and address it to the child.

Add the return address: SANTA, NORTH POLE, to the envelope.

Ensure a First-Class Mail stamp is affixed to the envelope.

Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope, with appropriate postage, and address it to:

NORTH POLE POSTMARK POSTMASTER 

4141 POSTMARK DR

ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998 

Letters from Santa must be received by the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than December 15. Santa's helpers in Anchorage, AK, will take care of the rest.

Tips: 

When responding as Santa, make the response as personal as possible by highlighting your child’s accomplishments over the past year. For example, helping around the house, receiving good grades in a particular subject at school or participating in community service activities.

A sample response from Santa:

North Pole 

Dear Friend:

Thank you so much for the wonderful letter. My pals at the

Post Office are bringing Mrs. Claus and me thousands of letters

daily. We sit down in front of the fireplace every evening and

read them.

I just finished checking with the elves in my workshop. They’re

working extra hours to make sure everything is just right for

Christmas Eve. Mrs. Claus had her oven going full time to make

sure they have plenty of warm cookies to eat.

Rudolph is leading the other reindeer in daily workouts so they

will be in tip top shape. Funny thing, as Christmas gets closer,

the reindeer are getting more and more excited!

I’m looking forward to making my trip around the world and

can’t wait to visit your neighborhood. Until then, I hope you’ll

continue to be good! Thanks again for writing and have a Merry

Christmas.

Love,

Santa