Deadlines To Have Presents Delivered For Christmas Quickly Approaching

By BRENDAN KRISEL and Deb Belt

If you have cards and gifts to send to far-flung family members this Christmas, the United States Postal Service, along with private carriers, will help you ship gifts all across the country.

To ensure your gifts arrive by Dec. 24, follow these shipping deadlines announced by the USPS.

Here are the deadlines:

• Dec. 15 – Standard Post
• Dec. 19 – First Class Mail
• Dec. 21 – Priority Mail
• Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express

The USPS website has more information on international and military Christmas 2015 shipping deadlines.

This year the USPS will also make shipping gifts easier for you, offering package tracking and even free package pickup, so you don’t have to make the trek to the post office and wait on line.

Find nearby USPS offices online.

FedEx

Packages sent through FedEx Home Delivery or FedEx Ground must be shipped by Thursday, Dec. 17.

The company has other options within the U.S.:

• Dec. 12: Last day to ship via FedEx SmartPost
• Dec. 17: Last day to ship via FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Ground
• Dec. 20: Last day to ship via FedEx Express Saver
• Dec. 22: Last day to ship via FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M.
• Dec. 23: Last day to ship via FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight
• Dec. 25: Last day to ship via FedEx SameDay

Visit the FedEx locator to find the closest store near you.

UPS

While specific shipping timelines vary by origin and destination, UPS recommends standard, domestic ground shipments be made by Friday, Dec. 18, to be delivered by Dec. 23.

Expedited shipping options such as UPS Next Day Air and 2nd Day Air can deliver shipments to your loved ones if postmarked by Dec. 22 or Dec. 23. Dec. 22: Last day to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air

• Dec. 23: Last day to ship via UPS Next Day Air
• UPS does not deliver on Christmas Day.
• UPS shipments sent to P.O. Box addresses are not covered by a service guarantee, however, and may be delayed.

Identify the nearest UPS drop-off location online.

The package arrived on time, but not in one piece.

With the stress of getting items to the post office on time, don’t forget to pack your boxes carefully.

Protect fragile items with bubble wrap or crumpled kraft paper, use new or almost new corrugated cardboard boxes and seal every seam with sturdy package tape to ensure precious cargo remains secure.