When Do Christmas Cards, Letters, And Packages Need To Be Sent?
With my parents in Pennsylvania, my sister in Singapore, and my in-laws near Raleigh, I rely on the post office to get Christmas cards and packages where they need to be every holiday season. Since Charlotte is very much a city of transplants, I know I’m not alone.
The U.S. Postal Service expects customer traffic to increase beginning December 10th. The week of December 17-23 is predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery period with nearly three billion pieces of First-Class Mail, including Christmas cards, being processed and delivered. If you don’t want to stand in long lines, send your stuff as soon as possible.
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Here are the shipping deadlines you need to know:
USPS Domestic
Dec. 14: USPS Retail Ground
Dec. 20: First Class Mail, Priority Mail
Dec. 22: Priority Mail Express
USPS International
Dec. 1: First-Class Package International Service and Priority Mail International
Dec. 8: Priority Mail Express International
Dec. 19: Global Express Guaranteed
USPS Military
Dec. 4: Parcel Airlift Mail
Dec. 11: Priority Mail; First Class Mail (cards and letters)
Dec. 18: Priority Mail Express Military Service
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FedEx
Dec. 10: SmartPost Services
Dec. 14: Ground
Dec. 17: Home Delivery
Dec. 19: Express Saver
Dec. 20: Two-Day Service
Dec. 21: Overnight Service
UPS
Dec. 14: Ground
Dec. 18: 3 Day Select
Dec. 20: 2nd Day Air Service
Dec. 22: Next Day Air Services
