Christmas is less than two weeks away, which means time is running out to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones and make sure they receive them in time to open Christmas morning.

Mail carriers say they are ready for one of the busiest shipping periods of the year. FedEx, in particular, says the company is committed to making the process “easy, quick and affordable for our customers.”

“Consumers will inevitably feel the holiday rush due to five fewer days of shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and we are ready to provide our customers with more peace of mind with increased visibility and on-time accuracy estimated delivery times,” said FedEx executive vice president and “said Brie Carere, chief customer officer.

Here are the deadlines to know for sending gifts and greeting cards to your loved ones before Christmas Day.

Don’t delay

The United States Postal Service (USPS) advises that the sooner you mail your items (greeting cards, packages, and other gifts), the better.

If you plan to use USPS and want your items to arrive in the United States before Christmas, they must be mailed by December 21st. If you are sending items to Alaska or Hawaii, the deadline is December 20. For international shipments, the deadline is valid for countries in Africa and Central and South America, but gifts to countries in Asia and Europe must be sent by December 16.

The USPS also warns that postal service to Canada is currently suspended due to an ongoing strike at the Postal Workers Union.

While Christmas takes place on December 25, Hanukkah will begin at sunset on Christmas Day and will be celebrated until January 2. Kwanzaa will begin the day after Christmas until January 1st.

If you use United Parcel Service (UPS) and want your items delivered before Christmas Eve, you can use UPS Next Day Air. However, you must ship to the United States and Canada by December 23, according to its shipping chart. The carrier recommends that you calculate the cost and delivery time for your specific destination at ups.com/ctc.

FedEx said You have at least until December 23 to ship your package to the United States so that it arrives before Christmas Eve, but it depends on the service you use. This is also the last day to ship to Mexico, Canada, or Puerto Rico if you want to send your package there before Christmas Eve.

Check store opening hours and closing times

Store hours may vary depending on the carrier you use, so check their hours in advance and be prepared for long lines as many will ship at the last minute.

The USPS is closed on Christmas Day and will not deliver mail or packages. UPS will also be closed on Christmas Day, with no pickup or delivery available. FedEx said its custom critical services, which handle government shipments, dangerous goods, high-value items and healthcare products, will be available on Christmas Day while all other sites and operations are closed.

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