This year's official Santa Claus postmark has been chosen. Here's how you can get it.

It's a Southern Indiana holiday tradition with worldwide appeal.

The Santa Claus, Indiana, Post Office has chosen the design for its 2023 holiday postmark and it will be available starting in December. Here's how you can get the postmark on your mail.

How do I get a Santa Claus postmark?

Cheryl Bailey, postmaster for Santa Claus, Indiana, offered these tips in a news release sent by the Spencer County Visitors Bureau:

• 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 December 1 and December 24;
• 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 (for example − reindeer food, snowflakes, glitter, stickers);
• There is no charge for postmarking; however, there is a limit of 50 picture postmarks (hand cancellations) per person per day.

Who designed this year's Santa Claus postmark?

This year’s artist is Allison Hoffman, daughter of Jeremy and Lee Ann Hoffman of Mariah Hill, Indiana. Allison is a freshman at Indiana State University.   

Is the Santa Claus postmark popular?

Yes. The Santa Claus, Indiana, Post Office receives more than 400,000 pieces of mail in December – compared to only 13,000 pieces of mail per month the rest of the year, according to the news release.