Offbeat | US post office pays homage to famous reindeer

Thousands of Christmas cards are pouring into a small village in Wisconsin that shares its name with the most famous reindeer.
The Rudolph Post Office receives more than 10,000 Christmas cards annually from all over the world to be stamped with festive markings during the holiday season. This year, the local effort coincides with the U.S. Postal Service issuing stamps commemorating the 50th anniversary of the popular television special, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Postmaster Becky Trzebiatowski said this year’s stamps have been especially popular. Trzebiatowski admits the stamps have even prompted her to purchase more than she usually does.
The Christmas cards sent to the post office can be embossed with a special cancellation on certain days as well as an ink stamp that features a reindeer and reads, “Rudolph, Wisconsin — home of the Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,” Daily Tribune Media (wrtnews.co/1Afl31C) reported.
Wausau resident Judy Hagedorn has sent her family holiday cards to Rudolph for the past 10 years, she said. She traveled 45 minutes to the village’s post office this week so more than 100 Christmas cards could get the Rudolph stamp.
Hagedorn’s grandchildren get a kick out of this reindeer game. “They just think it’s fun, too — and we do, too,” she said. “And it’s a nice outing.”
All the cards will be mailed from the Rudolph Post Office tomorrow.