Greetings from all over the world are flying to the small village of Christmas Island to get a special postmark

CHRISTMAS ISLAND. NS, Nov. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Thousands of festive greeting cards coming from as far as Hong Kong, Seoul, Paris and Mexico are currently flying to the small village of Christmas Island where postmistress Hughena MacKinnon is ready to add the special postmark that made the tiny post office famous around the world.

"Every year, thousands of people take the time to send me their greeting cards to get the special postmark before it gets delivered," says postmistress MacKinnon who can stamp almost 2,000 greeting cards a day during the peak holiday season. "I'm always excited to find out from which country I'll receive the first letter. With cards coming from as far as Japan or Australia, you realize that people are willing to make extra efforts to make their greeting cards unique for their loved ones, making my work even more meaningful."

For more than 17 years at this time of year, the Christmas Island post office has been getting almost as busy as Santa's workshop. The amount of mail received at the office jumps almost 1,000% between October and December. The thousands of letters from around the world come from collectors and holiday enthusiasts anxious to get the official postmark from Christmas Island.

For those interested in having holiday cards postmarked, please address and place the correct postage (or international reply coupon) on the actual greeting card, insert card into a larger envelope and send to:

Christmas Island Post Office
8499 GRAND NARROWS HWY
CHRISTMAS ISLAND NS  B1T 1A0

SOURCE: Canada Post