Updated

"Dear Santa," (search) a special where some of the wishes expressed in letters to Santa Claus are granted for a television audience, will air Dec. 9, FOX (search) and the U.S. Postal Service (search) announced Monday.

Compelling letters received by the postal service from children and families asking for Santa's help will be selected for the special. The postal service will promote the show with displays in most of its 38,000 post offices.

In conjunction with the special, an album is being produced that will include both original Christmas songs and what FOX says are four of the 10 most-played holiday classics, including Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" and Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." The album will be sold at more than 20,000 post offices.

"Dear Santa" will be in good company. Reality series such as "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Three Wishes" — which strike a positive, inspirational tone — have become one of television's hottest trends.