Holiday picture postmark announced

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. (WISH) - The Santa Claus, Indiana Post Office has selected the 2012 special picture postmark for Christmas.

The picture postmark is being offered to cancel postage stamps on holiday mail in December.

This location receives over 400,000 pieces of mail in December. The special picture postmark has been offered every Christmas since 1983.

The holiday postmark is designed each year by a local high school art student. This year’s winner is Cassie Fischer, a graduate of Heritage Hills High School.

Fischer asks anyone who would like the special cancelation on their holiday mail to follow the guidelines listed below:

• 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, Santa Claus Station, Santa Claus, IN 47579-9998;
• The picture postmark is available on working days between December 1 and 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 (Ex: reindeer food, snowflakes, glitter, stickers, etc.);
• There is no charge for postmarking; however, there is a limit of 50 picture postmarks (hand cancelations) per person per day.