The U.S. Postal Service will handle more than 20 billion pieces of holiday mail between Thanksgiving and Christmas. To ensure your letters and packages arrive on time and intact, the service offers the following deadlines and tips. Also, below, see the list of post offices open on upcoming Sundays.
Deadlines:
For mailing to U.S. military troops overseas, Dec. 10 is the deadline.
For non-U.S. military and international countries, Dec. 12th is the recommended cutoff.
Express mail can reach most military and international destinations, Dec. 19th is the cutoff.
For out-of-state destinations, the Postal Service recommends mailing packages and holiday cards by Wednesday, Dec. 21.
For in-state destinations, Thursday, Dec. 22nd is the cutoff.
Express mail is still available after those dates to most major metro destinations.
You can mail your holiday packages and greeting cards without ever going to the post office, using your credit card, computer and printer. Go to the and use Click-N-Ship for printing out postage and address labels for your packages. You can then order free carrier pick-up and have your letter carrier pick up your package for free at your home or business.
You can also design and mail your own personalized holiday greeting cards by accessing NetPost on the postal web. NetPost allows you to create your own greeting cards, using your digital family photos or other graphics, and the Postal Service will mail the cards out for you. Various retail gift cards are also available. For information, go to the .
Many larger post offices now offer self-service Automated Postal Centers (APCs) in their lobbies. Similar to ATM machines, with APCs you can buy stamps, mail small packages and purchase other mailing services using a credit or debit card. Most APCs are open 24 hours a day.
To prepare your package and letters correctly:
Include the correct name, street, apartment number, city, state and ZIP code. Print return address in the upper left corner.
Use strong, sturdy boxes with no writing on the outside.
Package contents tightly and securely, using newspaper, bubble wrap or other cushioning.
Remove batteries from toys and appliances.
Package cookies, fruitcake, and food items in leak-proof containers or secure protective wrapping.
Seal your package with strong, reinforced packing tape. Do not use paper or string on outside of package. They can get tangled in mail processing equipment.
Print the complete name and address of recipient in large print on one side of packages, only. Also include that information on a slip of paper inside the package.
Package senders are encouraged to purchase package Delivery Confirmation service and Insurance.
You can buy holiday stamps at post offices or order them by phone at 1-800-STAMP-24 and from the USPS web site at www.usps.com.
Mail early. You save on postage costs, save on convenience, and help get your holiday mail there on time, avoiding possible bad winter storms which can delay delivery.
The biggest and busiest mailing day of the year at post offices to be Monday, December 19. The biggest delivery day is expected to be Wednesday, December 21.
