80 years of "Christmas City" in Noel, Mo. - KOAM TV 7

Noel, Missouri celebrates it's 80th year stamping special holiday greetings on cards and letters from "Christmas City", a tradition that many love to join in on.

Back in 1932 the Postmaster in Noel got an idea and since then people from all over the world have traveled or flown their cards to get the unique "Seasons Greetings" stamp.

"I live in Noel, but really since the first day of December, or really since the day after Thanksgiving, it's called No-el," says organizer Dorothy "Dot" Harner.

So far this year Harner and other volunteers have stamped more than 4,500 cards sent to the Noel Post Office.

"It's exciting for us to see where they're from - it's kind of neat and unique," says volunteer Faye Davis.  "A few years ago we got a bunch in from France and that was exciting."

Volunteers say that about 90% of the mail that needs to get stamped is hand delivered to the Post Office.  The remaining 10 % are delivered through the mail.

"There are a lot of people that do this," says Harner.  "We've got a lot of people that come up from Arkansas, over from Oklahoma, they'll come in and sometimes they'll even help stamp with us."

Phyllis Von Holdt drove about 20 miles to get her traditional "Seasons Greetings".

"Almost ever since we moved here about 12 years ago we try to make it in here every year that we can," says Von Holdt.  "People appreciate getting the cards that just have that extra little, Merry Christmas on them."

While many love sending the "Christmas City" stamped cards and letters, it's volunteers like Harner that say doing the stamping and seeing the smiles on those that receive them is what's worth it.

"I love it,," Harner says.  "I love Christmas and I really love being able to do all of this kind of stuff."

About 30 volunteers log around 240 hours each year doing the stamping.