Christmas & Holiday Shipping Deadlines for 2009

All of a sudden Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is upon us. In the chaos of the holiday season it is easy to forget about shipping deadlines, and postal regualations.

When is the last day to ship a package to England for Christmas arrival? How can you be sure the cookies you are sending to Iraq make it there before Memorial Day? And will they arrive still resembling cookies?

Sure! There are ways to ensure that all goes as you would like it to.

This is the busiest season of the year, not only for retailers but for the United States Post office. Millions of letters, cards, and packages are sent all across the country and all over the world every day. Make sure that yours, not only arrives on time,but does not get lost in the crowd.

Deadlines For December 25 Delivery

United States Post Office:

Parcel Post : December 16

First Class Letters & Cards: December 21

Priority Mail: December 21

Express Mail: December 23

Fed Ex

Home Delivery or Ground: December 17

Express Saver: December 19

2 Day: December 20

Overnight : December 22

Same Day: December 25

UPS

Standard: December 15

3 Day: December 20

Expedited: December 21

Express:December 23

USPS

Military Destinations: APO/FPO Addresses

First Class or Priority: December 11th (except 093)

Express: December 19 (except 093)

Special Military:

Iraq or Afghanistan Dec. 4

Parcel Post (military mail) Nov 13

All Other Destinations:

Air Mail: December 11 (except Africa & Central/South America)

Priority: December 13

Africa-December 6

Central/South America- December 4

Express: December 15

Canada- December 16

Africa, Central / South America- December 11

Express Guaranteed: December 19

Canada- December 20

Fed Ex

Ground: (Canada & Puerto Rico) December 14

Economy (Latin American): December 17

(Europe, Middle East, Africa): December 18

(Peurto Rico): December 19

(Mexico & Canada) : December 20

Priority: (Latin America) December 20

(Canada, Pueto Rico, Mexico) December 21

(Europe, Middle East, Africa) December 21

(Asia, Pacific) December 21

Next Flight: (All) December 22

UPS

Express Only

Monday December 20

Middle East

Eastern Europe

South and Central America

Australia

Africa

Tuesday, December 21

Western Europe and United Kingdom

Caribbean and Mexico (for most points)

Pacific Rim (for most points)

Super Saver Shipping: December 18

Standard Shipping: December 19

2 Day Shipping: December 21 by 3 p.m.

1 Day Shipping : December 23 by 3 p.m.

Here is a list of the ordering deadlines for many online stores.

Careful packing will ensure that your gifts arrive safely. It will also make it easier for the carrier service to process the package quickly.

* Use a sturdy box. Don;t over fill it.

* Make sure the address and return address are on a card INSIDE the box (on the top)

* Use bubble wrap for fagile items

* Fill the box with degradable packing material or even popped popcorn. Place a layer at the bottom of the box. Set the pacage on top, fill in with more packing material.

* Seal the box at all seams and a couple of times around with good packing tape.

* Write the address and return address carefully, in an easily readable print, with permanent marker. Tape over the addresses with clear packing tape.

* Always send fagile and perishable items priority mail

* Use postal insurance

* If sending cookies through the mail be sure that they are a sturdy cookie that will pack, keep, and travel well. Here is a list of the 40 Best Cookies For Shipping

* Seal a self addressed, stamped post card in the box with the items. When it is recieved the recippient can toss it in the mail so you know it has arrived. That gives them some space to write their thank you note without you wondering if they got the package.

* Let online stores have the headaches, shop and have them ship when possible.

* If you have a postal scale you can ship from home by printing out our own shipping label at USPS.com and you can arrange for the postman to pick it up at your house.

According to the United States Post office the following items are restricted and they ask that you not attempt to send them to the troops.

obscene articles (pictures, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.) any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials

bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the personal use of the recipient are permissible

pork or pork by-products

In addition to that, because of security concerns, mail addressed to "Any Serviceman" will not be delivered, but only mail that goes through the APO/FPO military system.

Many well intentioned individuals are requesting that you send donations to troops in Iraq. Again, because of high level security and concerns many of these packages will never reach those that they were intended to (unless you are sending to a specific person/address).

An excellent resource for showing support, getting more information is:

America Supports You .

There are other ways to show support..one of the best is donating blood.