Roll the letter up, tie it with a red bow, and hide it in the Christmas tree. Use a wax Christmas seal on the envelope. Include a small candy cane or other treat. Have a neighbor knock and leave the letter on your doorstep. Place a Christmas Eve mailbox by the fireplace for your letter to be delivered and found on Christmas morning.

A few recent social media posts suggest that the stamp requirement is a new policy, but older USPS news releases indicate the rule has been in place for years.

A nonprofit organization and a north suburban school are helping thousands of Chicago Public Schools students with their Christmas wish list.