The holiday season is here and shipping carriers are busy!  Whether you ordered a gift for a friend or family member online or (no way!) found something in a store, finding the gift is half the battle.  Now, you’ve got to get it packaged up and shipped from Locust Grove to the recipient on time.  The holiday shipping deadlines have been posted by the major package carriers in order to make sure that your packages get where they are supposed to on time.  Take a look at the holiday shipping deadlines for the continental United States below and get those packages where they need to be!

Additional Holiday Shipping Deadlines

These are the recommended holiday shipping deadline dates to get your gifts where they need to be by December 25th for items traveling within the lower forty eight.  If you are shipping outside of the continental U.S. a.k.a. Hawaii and Alaska, then the deadline is December 17th for first class and priority mail and December 21st for priority mail express.

Military Holiday Shipping Deadlines

For mail to military members, check the USPS website for specific details about the holiday shipping deadlines as they can vary by where the member is stationed, but most are December 9th for first class mail and priority service.  December 16th is the deadline for priority mail express military. 

International Holiday Shipping Deadlines

The holiday shipping deadlines with most international packages through USPS is December 6th for priority mail and December 16th for express services. Of course, this can vary by where you are sending a package.

As always, getting the packages out sooner, rather than later is always the safest bet.  Keep in mind the USPS, Fedex, and UPS are all closed on Christmas Day so no packages will be delivered. Christmas this year is also on a Sunday, so that will also push up the holiday shipping deadlines a little.

Tips for Packing Gifts

You’ve got to pack your gift properly to send it out in time to beat those holiday shipping deadlines. Here are some useful tips.

  • Pick the appropriate sized box. Select a box that is large enough to allow cushioning material around your gift, but not so big that the item is going to flop around as the box is moved.
  • Add cushioning, whether it is newspaper, packing peanuts, or foam padding, to help keep your gift in place and in one piece.
  • Tape all the edges of the box in an x or H shape to provide additional support and to keep dirt out of the box.
  • Remove the batteries from toys before shipping.
  • Add the decorations to the inside. Colorful confetti or paper garlands don’t add much weight to your item, but keeping the outside of the box plan will help you beat the holiday shipping deadlines. The outside should just have the clearly written correct address of the recipient while you can make the inside festive and fun to open.
  • Mark fragile items. Have you ever seen the inside of a delivery truck this time of year? If what you are shipping is fragile, mark the box. If it is a hollow item, add extra bubble wrap in the inside of it to help support the item.
  • Worried about losing an item? Print and extra shipping label with the address of recipient and return address and place it inside of the box. You can also inquire about added insurance and tracking info with the shipper carrier you chose to use.

Are you looking for some gift ideas for a first time home owner?  I’ve got a list of housewarming gifts that would also work for holiday gifts too. While you might miss out on the festive paper, if you’re close to the holiday shipping deadlines, you could always send the gift directly to the new home owner.