How to write a letter to Santa

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