When Should I Mail My Christmas Letters And Packages?
Has Amazon Prime spoiled us with its 2-, or even 1-day delivery?
Don't think you could send that gift out any old time and expect it to get there before Christmas. As of today, Thursday, December 5th, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends sending standard mail and packages that you NEED to arrive by Christmas, no later than next week (December 14)--and to have all information correct so it gets there on time. Check for exact deadlines here.
USPS
Dec. 14: USPS Retail Ground shipments
Dec. 18: Alaska to mainland First-Class Mail
Dec. 19: Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 20: First Class
Dec. 21: Priority Mail; Also deadline for Alaska and Hawaii to the mainland through Priority Mail Express
Dec. 23: Priority Mail Express
International shipping and military mail deadlines are earlier. Learn more at www.usps.com.
Fed Ex
Dec. 9: SmartPost
Dec. 16: Ground and home delivery
Dec. 19: Express Saver
Dec. 20: Two-day options
Dec. 23: Overnight options
Dec. 25: FedEx SameDay, FedEx SameDay City Direct and City Priority
Find rates and transit times at www.fedex.com.
UPS
Dec. 13: Last day to ship some UPS Ground packages
Dec. 19: UPS 3 Day Select
Dec. 20: 2nd Day Air
Dec. 23: Next Day Air
We're without a doubt in crunch time for holiday mailing as the USPS reminds us that their busiest time of year is now--between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. 13 billion pieces of mail and packages are processed on average every year, during this period.
The internet is a huge reason the USPS gets busy this time of year, not just from people ORDERING online, but from those orders often being sent back, due to wrong information or the recipient not accepting it, doubling the load on the mail workers.
Low unemployment is a good thing, unless you're looking for extra help and can't get it, like the USPS these days. It leaves workers putting in 12+ hour days, but still managing to clear everything by the end of the night, according to one local postal worker who spoke to KCRG.
Cedar Rapids post offices will start extended hours for mailing things out this Sunday to help with the increased load.
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