Are you one of the many holiday revelers with families and friends spread all across the country and the world?
If so, even before you dive into that gift list, it's important to know how early you must buy, wrap and post holiday gifts so they leave Walpole and get to their destination in time for the holidays.
Here are some suggestions and mailing deadline dates from the U.S. Postal Service to ensure your gifts are delivered on time and in one piece:
- Double-check addresses & write legibly
- Shake boxes to make sure they’re well packed
- Priority Mail is fast for last minute gifts
- Express Mail is even faster
Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail
Calculated for Dec. 25, 2012.
Domestic Mail Class/Product
Dates
First-Class Mail® Service
Dec. 20
Priority Mail® Service
Dec. 21
Express Mail® Service
Dec. 22
Parcel Post® Service
Dec. 14
Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship
Dec. 19
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship
Dec. 21
Holiday Dates for International Mail
Destination
Global Express Guaranteed® Service
Express Mail® Service
Priority Mail® Service
First-Class Mail®
International Service
Africa
Dec. 19
Dec. 11
Dec. 3
Dec. 3
Asia / Pacific Rim
Dec. 18
Dec. 15
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Australia / New Zealand
Dec. 18
Dec. 15
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Canada
Dec. 20
Dec. 17
Dec. 13
Dec. 10
Caribbean
Dec. 19
Dec. 15
Dec. 13
Dec. 10
Central & South America
Dec. 19
Dec. 11
Dec. 3
Dec. 3
Mexico
Dec. 20
Dec. 15
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Europe
Dec. 19
Dec. 15
Dec. 13
Dec. 10
Middle East
Dec. 19
Dec. 15
Dec. 13
Dec. 10
Click here for send-by dates for military mail.
For last-minute shoppers, the UPS Store in Chelsea will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 15. From Dec. 17 through Dec. 21, the store will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Store Manager Devak Patel said customers who want to ensure their package arrives for Christmas should plan to mail it no later than the weekend prior to the holiday. The store also offers next day delivery for a special fee.
"We usually see a lot of traffic the week before Christmas," Patel said. "It's a good time for us."
For a pricing schedule on all packages, visit http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/4822/.
