The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the U.S. Postal Service, with millions of cards and packages moving through the system each day. Officials remind customers that planning ahead is the best way to ensure gifts and greetings arrive on time.
For those mailing within the continental United States, the recommended send-by dates are quickly approaching. Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail should be sent by Dec. 17, Priority Mail by Dec. 18, and Priority Mail Express by Dec. 20.
The Postal Service emphasizes that “the earlier you send, the better,” noting that weather delays and high mail volume can affect delivery times. International mail also requires extra planning, with most destinations recommending send-by dates between Dec. 2 and Dec. 16.
Holiday observances add another layer of importance to mailing schedules. Hanukkah begins at sundown on Dec. 14 and runs through Dec. 22.
Christmas Eve falls on Wednesday, Dec. 24, followed by Christmas Day on Thursday, Dec. 25, when regular mail service will be suspended.
Kwanzaa begins Dec. 26 and continues through Jan. 1, overlapping with New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 and New Year’s Day on Jan. 1, when mail service will again be paused. For families hoping to share holiday cheer across the miles, the message is clear: don’t wait until the last minute. Whether it’s a card to a loved one, a package to a college student, or a gift bound for a military base, mailing early ensures that the season’s joy arrives right on time.
