If you have a card or gift that you plan to send in the mail during the 2023 holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service is ready with its shipping deadlines and recommendations.

“The earlier you send, the better,” the post office said.

During the 2022 holiday season, the Postal Service processed more than 11.7 billion pieces of mail and packages.

The recommended “send by” dates for expected delivery before Christmas Day, Dec. 25, include the following:

  • Nov. 6 – Ground Advantage package service to military addresses (APO/FPO/DPO).
  • Nov. 29 – First class and Priority Mail to Africa, Central America, South America.
  • Dec. 6 – First class and Priority Mail to Asia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Middle East.
  • Dec. 9 – First class and Priority Mail to military addresses (APO/FPO/DPO).
  • Dec. 16 – First-class mail service along with Ground Advantage package service to all 50 U.S. states; along with Priority Mail service to Hawaii.
  • Dec. 18 – Priority Mail service to most states, except to Hawaii which has an earlier date.
  • Dec. 20 – Priority Mail Express Service to all 50 states.

First-class “forever” stamp selections for this year’s holiday season include images of snow globes, an Italian Renaissance “virgin and child” oil painting, and a fiber art Hanukkah design.

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