Pumpkin spice may have just arrived, but the jolly spirit of Christmas is slowly looming as local retailers and grocery stores put up decorations.  

Although Saint Nicholas has been working year-round to make Christmas special for those who celebrate, he has officially opened his mailbox to accept letters from children around the world.  

Mailing letters to Santa is part of USPS’ larger Operation Santa mission, which aims to help people adopt and respond to submitted letters, fulfilling holiday wishes across the country, according to the organization.  

Letters are being accepted through Dec. 5 and can be mailed to Santa at 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888. Senders must include their full name and address, including apartment number if applicable, on the envelope, or Santa will be unable to respond to the letter.  

USPS officials said submitting a letter does not guarantee a reply or a fulfilled wish list.  

For those who want to adopt a letter and fulfill the requested items, registration opens Nov. 2, and adoption starts Nov. 16. Adopters will have until Dec. 12 to acquire a letter. USPS also recommends that gifts should be shipped by that date.  

The tradition of Operation Christmas dates to 1912, when Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock established Santa’s first mailroom, authorizing local postmasters to open and respond to letters submitted to Santa. In 1940, the operation opened to the community, where charitable businesses and regular citizens across the country could participate in fulfilling wishes.  

Operation Santa went online in 2017 and became accessible across the country in 2019.  

USPS said anyone can write a letter to Santa, no matter their religion or denomination. The program has helped thousands of families across the U.S. each year. 

More information on Operation Santa can be found at https://www.uspsoperationsanta.com/.