Those of us in the U.S. have the option of doing our cards early and sending them to North Pole, Alaska or Noel, Missouri for super-special holiday postmarks. In fact, the U.S.P.S. website kindly lists for you all of the U.S. towns with festive sounding names like Rudolph, WI or Snowflake, AZ. Our neighbors to the North in Canada can do a similar thing with Christmas Island!
{postcard from Gem's World Postcards}
From an article in The Globe and Mail:
"Word has spread far and wide about the community’s name, and thousands of people want their cards stamped with its Christmas-themed postmark before they are sent on to their final destination.
The pace of this year’s arrivals is still rising, and postmistress Hughena MacKinnon and an assistant expect to handle up to 2,000 pieces some days-- 10 times the normal volume.
The tradition dates to the 1990s and hit a high last year, with around 16,000 pieces of mail coming through in pursuit of this special franking.
Ms. MacNeil petitioned for something unique and, in 1994, the spot got what is billed as the first pictorial postmark in the country. The original design was a simple motif with three conifers. The current postmark is more ornate, including a wreath laden with decorations and a bow.
"I like the wreath," Ms. MacKinnon said. "A wreath’s meaning was a wish of good health, so you put a little good health with the Christmas card."
Word of mouth spread and now mail arrives from around the world, typically in bundles of cards, each in a preaddressed envelope and accompanied by proper postage. These cards will be franked carefully, in both red and green, and then shipped onward to recipients around the world.
"The first thing that will catch your eye is the postmark," Ms. MacKinnon said. "It’s a conversation piece. People like to collect them and some put them on the tree."
Any members sending specially franked cards sent to the L.W.A. P.O. Box will recieve an Inkling!
P.S. Thanks to Send More Mail for the nudge about Christmas Island!
You're welcome Donovan!
Posted by: Jaime | December 18, 2011 at 09:49 AM
Ohmygosh I just adore your blog - So much Prettiness it makes my head spin! Thankyou for inspiring me everyday!
Peace, Love & Happy Holidays!
- Rin @ Papered Thoughts
Posted by: Rin Dawson | December 19, 2011 at 05:05 AM
In Canada you can also send letters to Santa Clause , North Pole, Canada, with the postal code as Ho Ho Ho (Hoh Oho).
Retired members of the Post office will answer all letters that are sent in! ...I want that job!!! alas however, I don't work for the Post Office :(
Posted by: PaddyAnne | December 31, 2011 at 06:22 PM