If you are like me,  you tend to wait until the last minute to shop for Christmas, but also, you also never get stuff to the post office on time to get items from A to B on time.   It looks like we are getting to the point that you are running out of time to get to the little ELF’s at the Post Office.

What it looks like..

Domestic mail: Send mail no later than Saturday for parcel post, Dec. 20 for first-class mail and priority mail, and Dec. 22 for express mail.

Military mail: For most military addresses, some holiday deadlines are still available. Priority mail should be sent no later than today and express mail by Dec. 18. All holiday deadlines have passed for Armed Forces Europe ZIP codes 093.

Deadlines for UPS/FedEx and DHL are usually more about how much you want to pay.  Remember that usually ground packages are rated 5 to 7 business days.

If you haven’t turned your letter to Santa in yet,  you will want to do that by the 18th to make sure it gets to the North Pole on time.

When in doubt about the time to mail the packages and cards for Christmas,  send them early.  Put a sticker of not to open until Christmas if you are really worried.  Most people will wait for your requests.

Tips for dealing with the Postal Elf’s.

• Have your packages ready to go and sealed when you get to the Post Office
• Start the transaction with a smile and a nice greeting.   (they will be more willing to help you out, if you are nice to them)
• Write Clearly, or Type all addresses for your envelopes and packages.
• Know that sending packages internationally, even to Canada tend to take a longer time than domestic letters.
• Use Click ‘n Ship.  It costs the same,  and you save a trip to the Post.  One of the Post Offices Elf’s will even come to your house to pick up the packages for free.
• Understand that the Post Office will see 20 Billion Cards between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I hope you are able to get your packages and cards out on time.

Merry Christmas