The joyful season of winter holidays is around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to start planning—particularly when it comes to buying gifts for children. Part of this planning includes being aware of the critical mailing deadlines to ensure that your packages arrive by the festivities.

Contrary to last year’s calendar, where December 24 landed on a Sunday, the deadlines for mailing items this year extend until just before Christmas itself. This means that for most shipping services, you can post your packages a day or two right before the holiday. However, delaying until the last moment for expedited shipping options can lead to significantly higher costs. It is wise to highlight these critical dates on your calendar and aim to send gifts ahead of time.

Below, you’ll find the key holiday shipping timelines for USPS, UPS, and FedEx in 2024.

Key Holiday Shipping Timelines for USPS, UPS, and FedEx

Be sure to mark these important dates to ensure timely holiday deliveries:

USPS Shipping Dates for Holiday 2024 (for delivery by December 25)

• Send your packages by December 18 using Ground Advantage (or December 16 for Hawaii and Alaska).

• Use First-Class Mail and ship by December 18.

• For Priority Mail Service, the deadline is December 19.

• Prioritize your mail by December 21 with Priority Mail Express (or December 20 for Hawaii and Alaska).

Note that local post offices will not be operational on December 25, with no mail collection or delivery occurring. For information on holiday schedule changes, consult with your nearby post office.

UPS Shipping Dates for Holiday 2024 (for delivery by December 24)

• Ship using UPS 3 Day Select by December 19.

• Set your packages to go out by December 20 with UPS 2nd Day Air.

• If you prefer Next Day Air, ensure packages are shipped by December 23.

Utilize the shipping calculator to verify the deadlines for UPS Ground deliveries. UPS locations will remain open on December 24, carrying out regular deliveries, but only prearranged pickups for Air and International Air packages will be conducted. Any Next Day Air pickups will be delivered on December 26. On December 25, UPS stores are likely to be closed, with no pickup or delivery services available, so verify hours with your local establishment.

FedEx Shipping Dates for Holiday 2024 (for arrival by December 24)

• Utilize FedEx Ground Economy and ship by December 13.

• Send via FedEx Express Saver by December 19.

• For FedEx 2Day and 2Day AM, ship out by December 20.

• For First Overnight, Priority Overnight, and Standard Overnight, ship by December 23.

• FedEx SameDay must be shipped by December 24.

FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery services will be operational until December 23, with rates fluctuating based on the duration of shipment. FedEx Office locations may remain open on December 24 with limited service hours, while some shipping options will be available. However, FedEx will be closed on December 25.