Santa to Mail First Letter with 2012 Holiday Picture Postmark from Santa Claus, Ind.

Posted on November 26, 2012

This Saturday, December 1, Santa Claus himself will stamp and mail the first letter of the Christmas season with this year's picture postmark, in a commemorative ceremony outside the Santa Claus Post Office. The ceremony will be at 9:00 am CST. The letter from Santa will be sent to a 3-year-old boy from Oak Grove, Kentucky, who wrote to Santa earlier this year asking not only for Legos, but for his daddy to come home safely from Afghanistan. Up to 30,000 letters to Santa are answered each year by volunteers of "Santa's Elves," a non-profit organization formed in 1974. Lieutenant Governor-elect Sue Ellspermann will speak about the Christmas destination and special postmark. The event will also include an artist signing featuring postmark designer Cassie Fischer. Colorized postcards featuring the 2012 holiday picture postmark will be available for purchase. Each year, a local high school student designs the special picture postmark for use on Christmas cards and other mail from the Santa Claus Post Office during the holiday season. The 2012 postmark will be available on working days between December 1 and 24. Those interested in getting the special cancellation on their holiday mail can find the guidelines here. The Santa Claus Christmas Celebration begins November 30 and is held the first three weekends in December in Santa Claus, Indiana. Events include a traditional Christmas Dinner with Santa; Santa Claus Land of Lights, a 1.2-mile driving journey through Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort; Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, the annual Christmas parade, and much more. Holiday weekend lodging specials are available at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, Santa's Cottages, Santa's Lodge, and the Rockport Comfort Inn & Suites. For more information about the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration, lodging specials, and a schedule of events, call (888) 444-9252 or visit www.SantaClausInd.org/Christmas.