The holidays are in full swing and Santa isn’t the only one traveling around the globe this season. Over the next two weeks, the United States Postal Service (USPS) alone will deliver over 400 million packages. Widen the lens just a bit and they’ll deliver more than double that from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Add holiday cards to the equation and the number of deliveries, mail pieces and parcels, jumps to an astounding 15 billion- and that is just one carrier!
Not only is December the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the busiest. From holiday cards to gifts for your loved ones, getting everything packed and shipped to arrive on time can feel overwhelming.
So, whether you’re mailing Christmas cheer to the masses or slippers to your grandma, the following do’s, don’ts, and delivery deadlines will keep you stress-free and full of good cheer.
Holiday Do’s and Don’ts
The best thing you can do when sending First-class mail, Priority Mail, and Express Mail is send via Certified Mail®. The reason being, you will receive proof of mailing and delivery. Meaning there’s no need to check your list twice, you will know your mail was received.
The most convenient option for sending Certified Mail is with Certified Mail Labels. Skip the long holiday line at the Post Office and create USPS Certified Mail® labels, Priority Mail labels, and Express Mail labels with USPS Postage online from the comfort of your home or office!
You’ll have proof of mailing, letter tracking, and delivery confirmation for each of your mailings. No special equipment, contracts, or monthly fees are required. Just address, print, and mail.
Keep all calm and bright this season with these Do’s and Don’ts
DO- Opt for tracking information, mailing and delivery confirmation, and even signature proof by sending with Certified Mail. The peace of mind and convenience of using Certified Mail Labels is unmatched. Get started now.
DO- Start mailing your holiday cards and packages as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more money you will pay for your delivery to arrive on time. Also, the chances of delays increase the closer it is to the holiday.
DO- Use durable boxes, envelopes, and packaging supplies. No one wants their cards and parcels to arrive damaged. When you consider the number of hands, feed machines, belts, and vehicles a single mailing is passed through before arriving at its destination, high-quality packaging becomes worth it.
DO- Properly address the item you are mailing. If the recipient's address is not clear or correct it will not be delivered. Likewise, if you do not include a return address and the item cannot be delivered, you will not get it back. Do you know how to properly write and address a letter?
DO- Use your tracking numbers. Porch pirates are very active during the holidays. The less time a parcel sits unattended the better. Track your parcel to know the day and, in some cases, the time to expect delivery. If you won’t be home, consider scheduling pick-up with the carrier. Pro tip: Add estimated delivery dates to your calendar so can keep track of deliveries from multiple shipping companies.
DO- Be cautious of popular package tracking scams this season. Learn more about seasonal scams.
DON’T- Mail anything that’s not approved to be shipped. If you are unsure, check the carrier's shipping restrictions before packaging your item. Here is what USPS prohibits and restricts from being mailed.
DON’T- Forget to hold your mail if you are traveling. An overflowing mailbox and porch lined with packages is a clear indication your house is unattended. Which, unfortunately, serves as an invitation for criminals. Check out these 6 tips from the Better Business Bureau for deterring mail thieves.
Delivery Deadlines
When it comes to holiday mailing, the sooner you send the less you’ll pay in shipping fees and the better the chance your deliveries arrive on time. Remember, some carriers offer extended holiday hours to accommodate the busy season.
This year, Christmas is on Sunday, December 25. Hanukkah runs from December 18 to the 26 and Kwanzaa is from December 26 to January 1. Consider the following delivery deadlines to ensure delivery by December 25.
Note: Since Christmas and New Year’s Day both fall on a Sunday, USPS will observe both holidays on the following Monday. Meaning, the Post Office will be closed on Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2. In addition, FedEx will not be offering overnight delivery on Christmas Eve.
United States Postal Service
| Domestic Mail Class/Product | Date (within Contiguous US) |
| USPS Retail Ground® Service | December 17 |
| First-Class Mail® Service | December 17 |
| Priority Mail® Service | December 19 |
| Priority Mail Express® Service2 | December 23 |
Click here to view USPS deadline dates for Alaska and Hawaii, international delivery, and military mail.
FedEx
| Product | Date (within Contiguous US) |
| Ground Economy | December 14 |
| Freight Priority & Direct | December 14 |
| Express Saver | December 20 |
| 2Day and 2Day AM* | December 21 |
| First Overnight and Priority Overnight* | December 22 |
| Same Day | December 23 |
Buy yourself another day, by selecting Saturday delivery for an additional $16. Ship on December 23 with FedEx First Overnight and Priority Overnight and on December 22 with FedEx 2Day.
Click here, to view all the delivery deadlines for FedEx.
UPS
| Product | Date (within Contiguous US) |
| Ground | Check ups.com/ctc for details |
| 3 Day Select | December 20 |
| 2 Day Air | December 21 |
| Next Day Air | December 22 |
Click here, to view all the delivery deadlines for UPS.
About Certified Mail Labels
Certified Mail Labels allows users to easily send Certified Mail for far less than the United States Postal Service. Save time and money by creating USPS Certified Mail® Labels, Priority Mail labels, and Express Mail labels with USPS Postage online.Pay as you mail and skip the trip to the Post Office completely.
Certified Mail Labels offers convenience and peace of mind, with:
- No green cards
- No stickers
- No forms
- No contracts
- No special equipment
- No monthly fees
Users receive 'proof of mailing', acceptance by the United States Postal Service, USPS tracking, Electronic Delivery Confirmation, and Return Receipt Signature for each compliance letter sent at no additional cost.
Begin by creating an account, now! Learn more about how Certified Mail Labels works.
