The U.S. Postal Service has announced its recommended mailing and shipping dates for customers hoping to have cards and packages delivered before Christmas.
For customers in the contiguous United States, the recommended deadline for USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail is December 17th. The suggested deadline for Priority Mail is December 18th, while Priority Mail Express should be sent by December 19th.
For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, the recommended Ground Advantage deadline is December 16th. First-Class Mail should be sent by December 17th, Priority Mail by December 18th and Priority Mail Express by December 19th.
The Postal Service says customers sending packages to military or international addresses should check its holiday shipping information beginning in mid-October for recommended deadlines.
USPS also encourages customers to mail and ship items as early as possible during the busy holiday season to improve the likelihood they arrive before December 25th.