USPS expands Operation Santa with online gift catalog

WASHINGTON (CBS 58) -- The U.S. Postal Service is making it easier to have Santa's helpers across the country see kids' lists and check them twice. They announced a new digital option is becoming a part of its annual Operation Santa program.

The initiative now includes Santa’s Gift Shoppe, an online catalog powered by Toys“R”Us, allowing participants to adopt letters and purchase gifts directly through the platform, with the online catalog featuring a curated selection of toys and gifts.

Items can be purchased and shipped through USPS services such as Ground Advantage, with the goal being to offer safer and more convenient methods for participants to fulfill holiday wishes while ensuring gifts arrive in time for the holidays.

The USPS says in a Monday, Nov. 18 press release that it hopes to expand the platform in future years to include items like clothing, books and shoes.

USPS encourages any person or organization to participate in the program by visiting USPSOperationSanta.com. The site offers instructions on adopting letters and using Santa’s Gift Shoppe, and for kids, it also offers thorough instructions for writing letters to Santa himself.

According to the USPS, since its inception 112 years ago, the Operation Santa program has successfully allowed people to fulfill holiday wishes by adopting letters written to Santa by children and families, and they hope the partnership with Toys"R"Us will lead to even more growth and holiday wishes coming true.