Make Kids Happy This Christmas By Joining ‘Operation Santa’
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
Christtmas can be a magical time, especially for children, but there are so many kids and families in need in our country. I think one of the most amazing things do to this time of year is to make others happy. Knowing that you’re helping someone else and bringing a smile to their face can give you all the feels. Now is the time to join in ‘Operation Santa’ and give kids the Christmas they all deserve!
The United States Postal Service is celebrating its 111th year with ‘Operation Santa’. They’ve been collecting letters from kids to Santa since September. Now you can play the ‘jolly Fat Man’ and give kids lots of smiles. According to the USPS website, you can answer letters to Santa.
Here’s How It All Works
Letters to Santa are claimed quickly, so act fast! Here’s how the process works:
- Visit USPSOperationSanta.com, register and have identity verified.
- If potential adopters are unable to complete their ID verification online, they will be provided with a code and given instructions on how to complete verification in person at a local Post Office.
- Once verified, the adopter will receive a welcome email with detailed information on how to participate in the program.
- Potential adopters can read letters and choose one or more to fulfill. Once a letter is chosen, adopters must follow the directions they were sent in their welcome email to ship gifts.
- Packages must be shipped via Priority Mail service, but gifts do not need to be in Priority Mail-branded boxes.
- Letter adopters are responsible for postage fees to ship the gift packages.
Financially, many of us are struggling this year, but if you can help out and bring joy to a child’s life, it will mean the world to them! All kids need to experience magic and happiness. This is a great thing to do as a family! If you have kids, it will give them a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to help other kids have a wonderful Christmas!
Giving back, no matter what time of year it is, makes you feel good. Making others smile is one of the greatest things we can do as people as kindness is contagious. No matter the gift, big or small, just helping kids have a Christmas makes all the difference in their lives. Thanks for anything you can do!! Merry Christmas!
10 Unforgettable Christmas Experience Gifts
Physical gifts can be cool for a moment, but the memories they create are what truly last a lifetime. This holiday season, why not do your friends and family a favor by skipping the usual physical presents? Maybe consider giving a unique Christmas experience instead?
An experiential gift is just as thoughtful as something you can hold in your hand. The difference is that it won’t end up gathering dust, getting re-gifted, or donated. That’s because experiences, whether it’s a subscription, an activity, or a class, let people give people memories. Whether the giftee does it on their own, with their family, or even with you, it offers opportunities for learning and exploration.
The possibilities are limitless with Christmas experience gifts.
If you’re searching for an exciting experience for adults or children, ther are lots of choices. You could start with something as simple as covering the dinner tab for a couple. Another option is going big by planning a fantastic trip as the ultimate gift for your spouse. For kids and teens, they can dive into fun activities. These can be learning to play an instrument or mastering the art of making their favorite dessert.
Another advantage of opting for experiential gifts is that they make ideal last-minute presents. They can be conveniently purchased online. And if all else fails, a gift card is always an option.
Let’s face it: most of the stuff we buy just because we like it or think we need it tends to fade into the background pretty quickly. This is especially true when they’re given as gifts. We’ve all had those times when we eagerly tore into a physical gift at Christmas or a birthday, only to realize it didn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s even worse when you know that time and money were spent on something you’re not too thrilled about.
Experiences can enrich our lives, contributing to personal growth and opening our minds to new horizons. Meanwhile, dust collectors, especially the ones from distant relatives, don’t quite measure up. You know that feeling, right? It’s like saying, “Thanks, Aunt Rose, but I could’ve done without that Christmas scarf and hand lotion from the buy-one-get-one special at the mall.”
So, when the holiday season or other celebrations roll around, and you’re stuck with gift-buying, consider giving experiences instead of physical items. To help you get started, here are some experiential gifts that would make great Christmas gifts.
Melany Myers is a Gastonia native and has spent most of her life here in North Carolina. Mel has worked in radio for over 20 years, many of which she spent co-hosting morning shows in Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC. Mel loves 80’s music, going to concerts, cooking, and eating! She is always writing about random news stories that really make you wonder, “what in the world?!” She also writes about rock music and human-interest content.