As the holiday season approaches, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has released its recommended shipping deadlines for ensuring delivery of cards and gifts by December 25. Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or other traditions, USPS advises sending items early to avoid delays.
To streamline holiday shipping, USPS offers free shipping supplies, printable labels, and free package pickup services. Customers can also check the holiday hours for their local Post Office™ to ensure timely service.
Here are the recommended send-by dates for delivery within the contiguous United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii):
- USPS Ground Advantage® Service: December 18
- First-Class Mail® Service: December 18
- Priority Mail® Service: December 19
- Priority Mail Express® Service: December 21
For shipments to Alaska and Hawaii, recommended send-by dates are as follows:
- USPS Ground Advantage® Service: December 16
- First-Class Mail® Service: December 18
- Priority Mail® Service: December 19
- Priority Mail Express® Service: December 20
USPS encourages customers to act quickly, as the earlier items are mailed, the better the chance of timely delivery. For more information, visit USPS online or your nearest Post Office.
