When to Mail Holiday Cards and Packages

When do you mail holiday cards and packages? Do you like to do it early, or do you wait until the last minute?

Mail-By Dates

To ensure that holiday mail and packages are delivered on time, the U.S. Postal Service recommends keeping the following mailing and shipping deadlines in mind:

Nov. 12 APO/FPO Military Standard Post
Dec. 2 Priority Mail International
Dec. 10 APO/FPO Military Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 10 Priority Mail Express International
Dec. 14 Standard Post
Dec. 16 Global Express Guaranteed
Dec. 17 Priority Mail Express Military Service
Dec. 20 First-Class Mail
Dec. 21 Priority Mail
Dec. 23 Priority Mail Express

The dates listed above are the earliest deadlines for international and military mail. For a complete list of shipping deadlines, visit usps.com/shippingdates.

Your Online Post Office

Many post offices will be open until noon on Christmas Eve. Don’t like waiting in line? You can go online! Nearly 75 million customers will skip the trip to the Post Office altogether and take advantage of online shipping. Click-N-Ship and other online services allow customers to print shipping labels, order free Priority Mail boxes, purchase postage and even request free next-day package pickup. You can even buy stamps and gifts. For more information, please visit usps.com.

Rules about Holiday Gifts for Letter Carriers and Mail Clerks

Postal employees may accept gifts valued up to $20, including gift cards, but not cash, liquor, or wine. The gift card must be from a single company but may not be from a bank or shopping mall.

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