FAQ & deadlines
Order-by dates
For each holiday's next occurrence. You can order any time and schedule a letter for a later date, so there's no such thing as too early.
| Letter | Guaranteed if ordered by | May arrive if ordered | Won't arrive if ordered after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halloween 2026 | Oct 19 | Oct 20 – Oct 27 | Oct 27 |
| Thanksgiving 2026 | Nov 15 | Nov 16 – Nov 22 | Nov 22 |
| Christmas 2026 | Dec 13 | Dec 14 – Dec 20 | Dec 20 |
| New Year's 2027 | Dec 19 | Dec 20 – Dec 28 | Dec 28 |
| Groundhog Day 2027 | Jan 22 | Jan 23 – Jan 28 | Jan 28 |
| Valentine's Day 2027 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Feb 10 |
| St. Patrick's Day 2027 | Mar 6 | Mar 7 – Mar 11 | Mar 11 |
| Easter 2027 | Mar 16 | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Mar 24 |
| Fourth of July 2027 | Jun 22 | Jun 23 – Jun 30 | Jun 30 |
| Santa or Elf with North Pole postmark | Nov 25 | After this date, the postmark isn't available; the letter goes by regular mail. | |
Guarantees apply to addresses in the 50 states and D.C. Dates for letters going to U.S. territories and military addresses aren't guaranteed.
Common questions
When will my letter arrive?
You choose. Holiday letters arrive before the holiday, and any letter can be scheduled to arrive by a date you pick, like a birthday. Each letter shows three dates: order by the first and delivery is guaranteed; order in the window after it and the letter may still make it, but it isn't guaranteed; order after the last date and it won't arrive in time. Letters set to go "as soon as possible" are mailed within 2 business days.
Can I order now for a holiday months away?
Yes, and it's the easiest way to never miss a date. Order a Christmas letter in September or an Easter letter for next spring; we hold it and mail it at the right time so it arrives shortly before your date, not weeks early.
How do you calculate the guaranteed date?
From U.S. Postal Service delivery standards. First-Class Mail takes up to 5 delivery days (Monday through Saturday, excluding federal holidays), with an extra day in December to match USPS's own holiday recommendations. We add the 2 business days we take to print and mail, then another 2 days of cushion. If a letter ordered by its guaranteed date arrives late, we'll refund it.
What is the North Pole postmark?
The U.S. Postal Service runs a seasonal program where letters sent through the post office in North Pole, Alaska are stamped with a special North Pole postmark. When you add it, we mail your Santa or Elf letter through that program, so the envelope arrives postmarked from North Pole, AK. Postmarked letters travel to Alaska in a batch in late November, so there's an earlier order deadline. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by USPS.
Is the preview exactly what gets printed?
Yes. The live preview is the same layout we print, in full color on premium paper. What you see is what your child gets.
Can I order letters for more than one child?
Yes. Each letter is personalized and mailed in its own envelope addressed to that child. You can check out up to 10 letters at a time. After adding one letter, tap "Add one for a sibling" to reuse your family details.
Can I send a letter to a grandchild or a friend's child?
Of course. Just enter their mailing address as the shipping address at checkout. All letters in one checkout go to the same address, so place a separate order for each household.
Where do you ship?
We currently mail to addresses in the United States, using First-Class Mail with a real stamp. Postage is included in the price.
I made a typo. Can I fix it?
Email hello@prhservices.org with your order email and the correction as soon as possible. If your letter hasn't been printed yet, we'll fix it.
Will my child find out the letter isn't from the North Pole?
Our envelopes and letters never mention us. The return address is the character's (Santa's workshop, the Easter Bunny's burrow, and so on), and your receipt is emailed to you, not the child.