For friends and family far away at Christmas, getting them their holiday gift to unwrap in time takes a little extra planning.
That means you need to pack it and get the package on its way by a specific deadline — depending on the delivery service, delivery option and expected arrival date.
Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!
If you’re sending a Hanukkah gift, please remember that the first night of Hanukkah is December 7, 2023, and the last night is December 14. So you’ll need to adjust these dates if you’d like the recipient to open a gift after lighting the Menorah.
One important note: these are recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25th, 2023. We all know that packages go awry more than we’d like. So, the earlier the better.
United States Postal Service (USPS)
Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December, 25th, 2022.
For Contiguous U.S.
USPS Retail Ground Service: by December 16, 2023
First-Class Mail Service: by December 16, 2023
Priority Mail Service: by December 18, 2023
Priority Mail Express Service: by December 20, 2023
For Alaska and Hawaii, packages need to be sent by Dec. 16, 2023 for First-Class Mail Service and Dec. 18, 2023 for Priority Mail Service. And Dec. 20, 2023 for Priority Mail Express Service.
For more information about USPS holiday shipping deadlines, click here.
FedEx
The holiday shipping deadlines are a little more complicated at FedEx because they offer a wide variety of shipping options. Use this helpful guide as a reference.
FedEx Freight Economy by Dec. 12, 2023
FedEx Ground Economy by Dec. 13, 2023
FedEx Freight by Dec. 15, 2023
FedEx Ground by Dec. 15, 2023
FedEx Express Saver or FedEx 3Day Freight by Dec. 19, 2023
FedEx 2Day by Dec. 20, 2023
FedEx 1Day Freight or FedEx Extra Hours by Dec. 21, 2023
FedEx SameDay by Dec. 22, 2023
UPS – United Parcel Service
UPS Ground – Check here for time estimates.
UPS 3-Day Select: by December 19, 2023
UPS 2nd Day Air: by December 20, 2023
UPS Next Day Air: by December 21, 2023
For UPS’ full holiday shipping schedule, click here.
Always be sure to properly secure your package to ensure it arrives safely. Choose a strong shipping box and use lots of tape and packing materials. Make sure to remove or cover any old labels, addresses and markings.
This content originally appeared on Living on the Cheap and is used with permission.
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More Holiday Events
Check out our comprehensive day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area or check out a few upcoming holiday events here:
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