How Noel, Missouri Created a Christmas Tradition

Each year, tens of thousands of Christmas cards are sent to Noel, Missouri, before reaching their final destination. Volunteers spend hours stamping the cards with festive red and green Christmas tree or wreath designs before sending them on their way.

This tradition has been going strong since 1932. During the Great Depression, Frenchman and Postmaster Edward T. Roussett, knowing that “Noel” means “Christmas” in French, teamed up with townspeople to offer a special Christmas postmark from the only town in the country named Noel (pronounced “nole”)—a tradition that continues today. “People cherish these special traditions,” says Mark Inglett, strategic communications specialist for the United States Postal Service.

Here’s how it works: Package your cards together and write “Christmas Cards” on the outside. Address the package to the Postmaster at 318 S. Main St., Noel, MO 64854. These Christmas stamps do not replace postal stamps, so make sure each card is addressed and has the correct postage. Volunteers begin stamping the day after Thanksgiving and continue through the first week of January. Once they’re stamped, the post office sends the cards to their final destinations. “We have gotten packages from as far as China,” says Noel Postmaster Patricia Coggin.

In the ’50s and ’60s, more than half a million pieces of mail arrived at the Noel post office in the days before Christmas, awaiting their special stamp, from all 50 states, Mexico and Canada. “It’s had some up and down years, mostly it’s supported pretty well,” says Mayor Terry Lance. Today, with the help of community volunteers, Noel stamps more than 65,000 letters and 500 packages each year, working alongside postal employees to mark each card and package as it arrives. Volunteers are treated to fresh cookies, candies, coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider as they stamp. “They work so hard keeping up with the volume,” Inglett says.

Noel also embraces Christmas with a parade and decorations; however, the Christmas stamp tradition remains a favorite.