INDIANAPOLIS — The holidays might seem pretty far away, but if you want to make sure your cards or packages arrive on time, you might want to mark your calendar with some key mailing and shipping dates.
If you can stay ahead of the deadlines, it might also help you avoid the high shipping costs with last-minute deliveries.
Another option is ordering gifts online, sending them directly to the recipient's address. Christmas shipping deadlines vary by retailer, but many will have website banners in December to show when you'll need to order to have it delivered on time. Some online retailers, like Amazon, even offer gift-wrapping for various products.
Here are the major deadlines for delivery in time for Monday, Dec. 25:
USPS holiday shipping and mailing deadlines
Within the lower 48 states (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)
- USPS Ground Advantage — Saturday, Dec. 16
- First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) — Saturday, Dec. 16
- Priority Mail — Monday, Dec. 18
- Priority Mail Express — Wednesday, Dec. 20
- Ground shipping —Check ups.com/ctc for details
- UPS 3 Day Select®—Tuesday, Dec. 19
- UPS 2nd Day Air® — Wednesday, Dec. 20 (Thursday, Dec. 21 with Saturday Delivery options )
- UPS Next Day Air® — Thursday, Dec. 21 (Friday, Dec. 22 with Saturday Delivery options)
- FedEx Ground® 5-Day Shipping — Friday, Dec. 15
- FedEx Ground® 4-Day Shipping— Monday, Dec. 18
- FedEx Ground® 3-Day Shipping— Tuesday, Dec. 19
- FedEx Ground® 2-Day Shipping— Wednesday, Dec. 20
- FedEx Ground® 1-Day Shipping— Thursday, Dec. 21
FedEx Same Day — Friday, Dec. 22