If you’re planning to send Christmas gifts to family or friends who live out of town this year, you’re going to want to pay attention to this.

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, and knowing these shipping deadlines now could help make sure your packages arrive before Christmas.

DON'T WAIT TO MAIL THOSE HOLIDAY GIFTS

It may seem a little early to be talking about Christmas, but if you have family or friends who live far away and you won't be seeing them this year, now is actually a good time to start thinking about when it will be necessary to get your holiday packages in the mail.

Before we know it, Thanksgiving will be here, December will be flying by, and you'll suddenly realize you still have gifts sitting on the kitchen table that need to make their way across the country. Believe me..I've been there, and it's not a good feeling; Not for the sender or the receiver.

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2026 RECOMMENDED MAILING DEADLINES

The U.S. Postal Service has already released its recommended mailing deadlines for the 2026 holiday season. These dates are designed to give your packages and cards enough time to arrive before Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th. You can tell yourself all day that if the gifts arrive late, it's okay; But you know deep down in your heart, your family and friends will be very disappointed if there's nothing under that Christmas tree from you.

FOUR DATES TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS YEAR

For people here in Central Minnesota who are sending packages to family and friends in the lower 48 states, the USPS has four important dates to keep in mind.

• If you're using USPS Ground Advantage, the recommended mailing deadline is Thursday, December 17th.
• First-Class Mail has a recommended deadline of Thursday, December 17th.
• If you're sending something by Priority Mail, you'll want to get it in the mail by Friday, December 18th.
• If you're using Priority Mail Express, the recommended deadline is Saturday, December 19th

However! If you're sending a Christmas package to someone in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or one of the U.S. territories, you'll want to move things up a little bit.

For these locations, the recommended deadlines are:

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PROCRASTINATORS - LISTEN UP

Hey, I see you. I'm the world's worst at times when it comes to mailing anything on time, always hoping that the package will arrive on time.

But if you're sending something really important, like children's gifts, you don't want to break their hearts. It's not the best idea to wait and take the chance of the package not arriving on time.

RECOMMENDED DATES ARE NOT GUARANTEED DATES

Something else you want to keep in mind is that just because these are recommended dates from the Postal Service, they are still not a guarantee that every package will arrive on time.

The weather, transportation issues, and the incredible volume of packages that are sent around the holidays can all affect delivery times. So, if you already know you're sending something to your kids, grandkids, parents, siblings or friends who live out of town, it might be worth putting those packages on your list now and making sure you get them out a few days before the recommended dates.

The Postal Service also has information available online about preparing your packages for shipment, and postal office hours.

INTERNATIONAL DELIVERIES

If you're sending something internationally or to a military address, there are different recommended deadlines. The USPS has a complete list of those dates available on its website as well. You can find those dates by clicking HERE.

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us. One minute you're enjoying the fall colors and the next you're wondering where you're going to find a parking spot at the mall and whether your Christmas package is going to make it across the country.

BE PREPARED THIS YEAR

If you have gifts that need to travel, don't wait until the last minute. Get them wrapped, get them packed, and get them in the mail before those December deadlines arrive. The smiles you'll receive from your family and friends will be well worth your extra effort.  :-)