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I think because I carried mail for 16 years, I’m always ahead of the game when it comes to the holidays. My cards are ready to mail, and my shopping and wrapping are almost finished.
Not only am I now free to truly enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, but I can excuse myself from all the holiday-related stress.
Another great reason to get your cards ready a little ahead of time is you can get your cards postmarked at the Post Office where Santa and all his elves conduct their postal business — North Pole, Alaska.
How to get a North Pole Postmark
Whether you’re making sure the letter from Santa Claus to the children in your life has an official North Pole Postmark, or you want all your greeting cards to bear the special cancellation, it’s easy with a little extra preparation.
If the letter is being sent from Santa, write a letter to your child and sign it from Santa — the Jolly Ole Elf is overwhelmed with hundreds of thousands of letters every year, so he’ll appreciate your help.
Place this letter into an envelope addressed to your child with the return address: Santa, North Pole.
Make sure you have a First-Class stamp affixed to the envelope. Place that envelope into a larger envelope, with appropriate postage, and address the larger envelope to the address below.
For a little extra fun on all your greeting cards, write your cards and address them like you normally do. Place First-Class stamps on the envelopes and use either the North Pole or your address as the return address.
Then place the greeting cards into a larger envelope or box, with appropriate postage, and sent it to:
North Pole Cancellation
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Dr
Anchorage, AK 99530-9998
The letters from Santa and other greeting cards need to be received in Anchorage, AK, before December 15, 2009.
After that date, they should be sent using Express Mail to make sure they get to your friends, family and business associates on time.
Other holiday Postmarks
The North Pole is only one example of the many holiday Postmarks available in the United States. In each case, just follow the instructions above. For example: Advent, WV. , Advent Cancellation, Postmaster
Advent, WV 25231-9998.
The ZIP Code and 9998 add-on will assure the package is delivered to the Postmaster and your cards and letters will be Postmarked before being sent on to your loved ones.
Holiday Postmarks include:
Angeles PR 00611
Bethlehem CT 06751
Bethlehem GA 30620
Bethlehem IN 47104
Bethlehem KY 40007
Bethlehem MD 21609
Bethlehem NH 03574
Bethlehem PA 18016
Blessing TX 77419
Christmas FL 32709
Christmas MI 49862
Joy IL 61260
Nazareth KY 40048
Nazareth MI 49074
Nazareth PA 18064
Nazareth TX 79063
Noel MO 64854
North Pole NY 12997
Rudolph OH 43462
Rudolph WI 54475
Santa ID 83866
Santa Claus IN 47579
Snowflake AZ 85937
Wiseman AR 72587
The card images are courtesy of the Postal Service. To learn more about USPS CardStore, log onto cardstore.com.
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