Have Your Holiday Cards Postmarked from Santa Claus, IN – Even If You Don’t Live Nearby
As we head into the season, you may be planning the perfect family photo for the annual holiday greeting card or maybe you're prefer a more classic approach with handwritten notes inside a store bought card. Whatever your holiday card style may be, and no matter where you live, you can have your holiday cards arrive to your friends and family postmarked from America's Christmas Hometown.
America's Christmas Hometown: Santa Claus, Indiana
There's a reason it's known as America's Christmas Hometown - located in Southern Indiana, Santa Claus is one of the most magical little towns in the entire United States, where it's basically Christmas every single day of the year. It is also home to the only post office in the world with Santa Claus in the name. Each year, more than 400,000 pieces of mail are handled in this small town post office just in the month of December alone!
The Special Santa Claus, IN Postmark Has Been a Tradition since 1983
Every year, the Santa Claus, Indiana Post Office postmarks every single piece of mail that passes through on its way to its final holiday destination, but what sets it apart from other USPS locations across the country is that in Santa Claus, it's a special postmark that you cannot get anywhere else - not by name and not by design. The design even changes from every year as it's created by an art student in attendance at a local high school, and has been a Santa Claus tradition since 1983.
The Santa Claus Postmark Design is Chosen as Part of an Annual Art Contest
This year's design has just been revealed. The 2024 postmark features an adorable Santa Claus popping out of a package beside a Christmas tree, and was designed by Aubrey Harpe who is now studying education at the University of Southern Indiana.
Each year, the holiday postmark is designed by a local high school art student as part of an annual contest. This year’s artist is Aubrey Harpe, daughter of Jennifer Harpe and Adam Crowe of St. Meinrad, Indiana. Aubrey is now a freshman at the University of Southern Indiana and studying education.
This postmark will be used to cancel the postage stamps on all mail that is sent from the Santa Claus Post Office beginning December 2, 2024.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind When Prepping Your Envelopes for the Special Stamp
Now that you're excited to have your holiday cards postmarked with a one-of-a-kind, Christmas-themed cancellation stamp, here are a few things you need to know.
- The Santa Claus Post Office suggests that you leave a space approximately 2-inches by 4-inches in size to allow room for the special postmark.
- Apply your paid postage to your cards or letters before you take them to the post office.
- Customers do have to request the picture postmark at the post office.
- Don't include large or bulky items in your envelope. You'll want a smooth, flat surface to ensure a good imprint of the postmark.
- There is no additional charge for using the picture postmark, but because the these special postmarks require hand stamping, the Santa Claus Post Office does have a limit of 50 picture postmarks per person, per day.
Get the Postmark Even If You Don't Live Close to Santa Claus, IN
Want to have your holiday cards stamped with the special Santa Claus, Indiana postmark but don't live nearby? Don't panic! You can still get the special postmark added to your holiday cards! To have your holiday cards mailed with the special Santa Claus postmark designed by Aubrey, here's what you need to do: Get them ready like you normally would, complete with recipient's address, return address, and paid postage. Take your stack of holiday cards (with their postage attached on each one) and place them into a box or sturdy envelope. Then mail that box or sturdy envelop to:
Postmaster
P.O. Box 9998
Santa Clause, IN 47579-9998
Your box or sturdy envelope will be opened by post office staff once it arrives in Santa Claus, and all of your holiday cards will be processed just like if you had dropped them off in person.
A Little Way to Add Some Holiday Magic
It's jus a little way to add some holiday magic this season! Of course, Santa Claus, Indiana is a magnificent and magical place to visit during the holidays, and all year round too. Learn more by visiting Santa Claus, Indiana on Facebook.
[Source: Santa Claus, Indiana via Facebook]
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