Every year, my family and I stop by the post office to participate in “Operation Santa Claus,” which began informally in the 1920s when postal workers started sending presents to impoverished children whose letters to Santa Claus (address: North Pole) had ended up in the “dead letters” box. 

It’s such a simple charity to participate in, and so incredibly fulfilling: all you do is stop by the post office, sift through the piles of letters (most from children, but some from parents asking Santa Claus for things like bottles for their newborns), pick up as many gifts as you can, and deliver them to the needy families. Sometimes the children greet you at the door with enormous smiles and you get invited in for coffee; other times you covertly drop Santa’s gifts off with the parents. Either way, I promise: it’s an experience not to be missed. 

Although Operation Santa Claus is based in NYC, many post offices around the country participate in a similar program. Inquire at your local post office for details and find out how you can get involved.