PHILADELPHIA, PA — With the holiday rush looming and millions of Americans preparing to ship gifts and letters across the country, the U.S. Postal Service is urging customers to plan ahead, use expanded self-service options, and take part in its century-old Operation Santa program — now officially open for the 2025 season.
USPS announced it will close all Post Office locations on Thursday, Nov. 27, in observance of Thanksgiving. Only Priority Mail Express — the agency’s fastest guaranteed service — will operate that day. Regular mail delivery and retail services resume Friday, Nov. 28. But postal officials say the temporary pause marks the unofficial start of the year’s busiest — and most stressful — stretch for the nation’s mail network.
Even with doors closed for the holiday, USPS is reminding the public that more than 2,600 self-service kiosks remain available in Post Office lobbies nationwide, many open 24 hours a day. These machines have become a lifeline for customers facing peak-season crowds, offering postage printing, stamp purchases, package weighing, mailing services, and tracking information without waiting for a clerk.
The kiosks are part of a broader modernization push that includes Rapid Dropoff Stations for prepaid packages, label printing from QR codes provided by merchants, and USPS Smart Lockers that allow around-the-clock pickup and drop-off of parcels. Agency officials say these tools are critical to keeping the system moving as December volume climbs.
The expanded options, they say, are designed to cut lines, reduce frustration, and keep customers on schedule.
A Holiday Tradition Returns: Operation Santa Opens for Letter Adoption
But the most anticipated announcement this past week wasn’t about closures or kiosks — it was the official launch of the 2025 USPS Operation Santa letter-adoption program, a tradition that allows Americans to “play Santa” by fulfilling holiday wishes for children and families in need.
Individuals, families, workplaces, and community groups can visit USPSOperationSanta.com to browse and adopt letters to Santa from across the country. The program, which dates back more than a century, allows participants to anonymously send gifts directly to letter writers.
This year’s program includes several major enhancements. For the first time, USPS is placing a strong emphasis on family adoption — encouraging groups to adopt entire bundles of letters from a single household to ensure that every child under the same roof is included.
“Every year, we receive far more letters than those adopting,” said Sheila Holman, the Postal Service’s vice president of marketing. “So if you have the means, we encourage you to adopt a letter. And this year we’re making it easier for groups to adopt family letters — making the holidays brighter for everyone in a household. And they’re fun and easy to complete with friends or coworkers.”
The Postal Service says the new approach reflects the reality that many families send multiple letters containing requests for toys, clothing, or basic necessities. By grouping households together and allowing “team adoption,” USPS aims to make sure no child is left out.
To participate, adopters must create an account on the Operation Santa website and verify their identity. Once approved, they can browse letters, select the ones they wish to adopt — including family bundles — and purchase gifts. Participants can shop through Santa’s Gift Shoppe, powered by Toys“R”Us, or purchase items independently.
The Gift Shoppe has been redesigned this year with a larger selection, free shipping on orders over $49, and streamlined fulfillment that allows adopters to send gifts directly from the catalog without needing to visit a Post Office.
The program encourages adopters to mail gifts no later than Dec. 13 to ensure packages reach their destinations in time for Christmas. Early adoption is especially important, USPS says, because the volume of letters far exceeds the number of volunteers each year.
One of the biggest updates for 2025 is the strengthened team adoption model. Under this system, one person acts as the organizer, adopting a family’s letter group and delegating specific letters to team members. Each team member can then select a letter that speaks to them, purchase gifts, and prepare them for shipping. The team organizer remains responsible for ensuring all letters in the household are claimed, adopting any unclaimed ones to guarantee full coverage.
“This option is designed for offices, teams, community groups and organizations that want to make a bigger impact together,” the Postal Service explained. “It helps fulfill more wishes and keeps households together.”
The agency says the ability to adopt as a team has helped broaden community participation, turning Operation Santa into a workplace tradition for some companies and a seasonal service project for civic groups, clubs, and neighborhood associations.
USPS officials also emphasized the convenience of Santa’s Gift Shoppe, which allows adopters to shop quickly and ship gifts directly without needing to package items themselves. The expanded catalog now includes more toys, clothing, electronics, and accessories — making it easier to fulfill requests, including family bundles.
“You can adopt single or family letters as a team, shop for the perfect gift quickly and easily online, and get it delivered directly from Santa’s Gift Shoppe, all from the comfort and convenience of home,” Holman said.
Beyond adoption logistics, USPS continues to push customers to spread awareness of the program. The agency stresses that many letters go unread each year simply because the public does not know how to participate. Encouraging local workplaces, churches, community groups, and friend networks to adopt together can dramatically expand the program’s reach, officials say.
On the logistics side, the Postal Service urges customers to take full advantage of the tools available during Thanksgiving closures and throughout the peak season. Because many Post Office lobbies with kiosks remain open around the clock, customers can weigh packages, print Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express postage, ship items internationally, and buy stamps even when traditional windows are closed.
USPS Smart Lockers — a newer addition in select locations — offer 24/7 access to both drop-off and pick-up services, further reducing bottlenecks during heavy mailing periods. Rapid Dropoff Stations also streamline the process for customers who have created and printed shipping labels online, cutting wait times dramatically.
Public Encouraged to Spread the Word — and the Cheer
The agency notes that these services, combined with rising participation in Operation Santa, represent ongoing efforts to meet customer expectations during a season defined by tight deadlines and high demand.
USPS is once again repeating its annual message: the earlier, the better. Shipping early ensures gifts arrive on time, reduces strain on the network, and builds confidence for families participating in Operation Santa.
As the holiday season begins in earnest, the Postal Service says it aims to deliver not only mail and packages but also hope, connection, and a spirit of giving — especially for children and families turning to Operation Santa in a year marked by continued economic pressures.
“Every adopted letter represents a moment of joy for a child or family who needs it,” Holman said. “And during the holidays, that joy can mean everything.”
For more information on holiday shipping, self-service tools, and Operation Santa, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.
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