USPS’s recommended 2026 Christmas mailing dates for the contiguous U.S. are Dec. 17 for Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail and Dec. 19 for Priority Mail Express, for expected delivery before Dec. 25. Other destinations have different deadlines.
For expected delivery before Dec. 25, USPS recommends sending to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories by Dec. 16 via Ground Advantage, Dec. 17 via First-Class Mail, Dec. 18 via Priority Mail or Dec. 19 via Priority Mail Express. For the international regions listed, recommended send-by dates are Dec. 9 for First-Class Package International and Priority Mail International, and Dec. 16 for Priority Mail Express International. USPS recommends checking its holiday shipping page from mid-October for complete dates to military and international addresses.
USPS Operation Santa is accepting letters from children and families in the continental U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico through Dec. 5; people can adopt letters and respond beginning Nov. 16. USPS also noted that Hanukkah falls Dec. 4–12 and advised senders to adjust their plans accordingly.
