Holiday News- Santa Letters, Shipping Dates

Changes to Letters to Santa Program

Since 1954, kids’ letters to Santa addressed to the North Pole were sent to the small town of North Pole, Alaska to be answered by Santa and his elves. Of course, the responses always had the “North Pole” postmark, but that tradition may be interrupted for some this year.

The program isn’t being stopped because of budgets, but because a postal worker realized that one Operation Santa volunteer there was a registered sex offender! Not all programs will be affected, but generic letters addressed to Santa in the North Pole may not be answered this year. Read the full story at msnbc.com: “No more letters from North Pole? Ho ho oh no!”

Drop-Dead Shipping Dates

Online shopping is becoming more popular each year, but you have to make sure you get those orders placed in time to receive your gifts for the holidays. Coupon Sherpa has published and is still updating a comprehensive list of drop-dead holiday shipping deadlines for delivery in time for Christmas. For the complete list, visit Coupon Sherpa’s Holiday Shipping Deadlines for Christmas 2009. Dates are included for standard, express and fastest shipping options for many retailers like Apple Store, Best Buy, Fossil, Gaiam, Lego Store, Macy’s and more.

Free Shipping Day

You may also want to mark December 17 on your calendar as Free Shipping Day! Free Shipping Day is a one-day only online shopping event. On December 17, participating merchants will give the gift of free shipping to their customers with guaranteed delivery by Christmas. Just a few of the merchants involved with Free Shipping Day include Toys R Us, Nike, Sears, Eddie Bauer, PacSun, PetSmart and Adidas. More than 500 merchants are expected to participate. Visit FreeShippingDay.com for all the details.

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