LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- As the holiday season approaches, one small town in Indiana is already getting into the holiday spirit. 

On Monday, the Santa Claus, Indiana Post Office announced the famous Santa Claus Postmark, that will be available for purchase beginning on Dec. 1.

The annual postmark, offered since 1983, features a picture designed by a local high school art student. This year's design was created by Allison Hoffman. 

Each year in December, the Santa Claus, Indiana Post Office receives more than 400,000 pieces of mail, compared to only about 13,000 pieces of mail a month during the rest of the year.

“Patrons from all over the world request the Santa Claus holiday postmark," Postmaster Cheryl Bailey said in a news release. "Some drive into town to personally hand cancel their holiday mail with the famous picture postmark and others request the special postmark by mail. The famous Santa Claus postmark is a long-standing tradition for the town, and it’s always fun to see the unique artwork each year.”

  • Allow at least a 2-inch by 4-inch space in the stamp area for the picture postmark.
  • Apply postage to cards or letters before bringing or mailing them to the post office;
  • If you wish to mail Christmas cards to the post office, package them – with postage stamps already on them – in a sturdy envelope or box, and mail to: Postmaster, P.O. Box 9998, Santa Claus, IN 47579-9998;
  • The picture postmark is available on working days between Dec. 1-24, 2023.
  • The picture postmark must be requested by the postal customer.
  • To ensure a good postmark imprint, do not enclose large or bulky items in your holiday mail (Ex: reindeer food, snowflakes, glitter, stickers, etc.).
  • There is no charge for postmarking; however, there is a limit of 50 picture postmarks (hand cancellations) per person per day.

The town of Santa Claus, Indiana hosts a family-fun holiday party during the first three weekends in December. Families will enjoy Christmas Dinner with Santa, write a letter to Santa, a Christmas parade. For more information, click here.

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