WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service began its 113th annual USPS Operation Santa on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, encouraging children and families nationwide to send letters to Santa Claus. The program, which fosters holiday goodwill by connecting letter writers with donors who fulfill wishes, opened submissions at 8:59 a.m. EDT, with a postmark deadline of December 6 for eligibility.
Participants can submit letters via guidelines outlined at USPSOperationSanta.com. A new option this year allows adopters to fulfill wishes for entire households by adopting a single family letter, expanding the program’s reach. Sheila Holman, USPS marketing vice president, emphasized the initiative’s community impact. “For more than a century, USPS Operation Santa has brought communities together to make the holidays brighter,” Holman said. “Each year, we receive far more letters than we have adopters, and this year we want to change that—especially by encouraging participants to adopt family letters, which makes it possible to fulfill the wishes of an entire household at once.”
The program introduces enhancements to streamline participation. The online gift catalog, launched last year, returns with a significantly expanded selection of thousands of items. Adoption opens November 17, enabling donors to shop and ship directly through the platform, simplifying the fulfillment process. Full details, including writing tips and participation steps, are available at USPSOperationSanta.com.
Operation Santa traces its roots to 1912, when a New York postmaster began responding to children’s letters. The USPS formalized the effort in 1940, expanding it nationally. In recent years, the program has handled over 1 million letters annually, with 2024 seeing 1.2 million submissions, though only about 20 percent were adopted due to donor limits. Maryland, including Southern Maryland’s Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties, contributed roughly 15,000 letters in 2024, with adoption rates mirroring the national average.
For Southern Maryland residents, the program offers a local connection. Post offices in towns like Leonardtown and La Plata serve as drop-off points, with staff assisting families, particularly in areas with populations around 12,000 to 20,000. The initiative aligns with holiday traditions, such as Christmas tree lightings in Waldorf, enhancing community engagement. In 2023, local donors in Charles County fulfilled 300 letters, providing toys and essentials to families in need, a trend expected to grow with the family letter option.
The USPS processes letters at a centralized hub in New York City, where volunteers screen submissions for eligibility—letters must include a return address and wish list, with no personal data beyond age and location. Adopters, often individuals or businesses, select letters online, purchasing gifts up to $100 per child or household cap, which the USPS ships at no cost. In 2024, donors spent an estimated $15 million nationwide, with Maryland’s share at $180,000, supporting local economies through retail purchases.
Historically, the program faced challenges. During World War II, paper shortages reduced participation, while the 1970s saw a surge with 500,000 letters as mail volume peaked. Digital shifts in the 2000s prompted the online catalog, modernizing a tradition that once relied on handwritten notes. The USPS reports a 5 percent annual increase in digital adoptions since 2020, reflecting broader e-commerce trends.
Security measures ensure safety, with all gifts inspected before delivery. The program prohibits cash or perishable items, focusing on toys, books and clothing. In Southern Maryland, local nonprofits like the Calvert County Community Resources have partnered with adopters, distributing items to 400 children in 2024. The 2025 season aims to boost participation, targeting a 25 percent adoption rate with outreach to regional businesses.
As of September 16, the USPS has processed initial submissions, with peak volume expected by Thanksgiving. The program’s longevity reflects its cultural role, offering a tangible link to holiday giving for families across Maryland’s rural and suburban landscapes.
