Getting it there on time for the holidays!

by Abigail Knowles Wolfe (BPRW)

Thanksgiving is almost upon us and the December religious holidays are right around the corner. Chanukah comes early this year, beginning at sundown on December 4th and the 25th and celebration of Christmas Day will also be here before we know it. Family and friends across the country will be writing their holiday greeting cards and sending them out in record numbers as we all scramble to accomplish as much as we can before gift-giving time in upon us.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that you get your parcels and packages wrapped up and off to their destinations well in advance and for those of us with family member in other countries the time frame is extended even more. For Express Mail to Australia, Asia and the Pacific Rim, the Caribbean, European and Mexico USPS suggests December 17th as the cut-off date for dropping off packages meant to arrive before Christmas. Global Express is guaranteed to the aforementioned nations plus South America and the Middle East if sent by the 19th of the month. Furthermore, Express Mail service to most Canadian postal codes can be shipped out on the 18th of December.

These methods may be pricey however so let’s hope that money is no object! To save a few bucks bringing these gifts in to be shipped at the beginning of the month of December is a better bet for most. Plus it’ll put less stress on your postal carrier’s last minute load and you won’t have to worry about presents arriving late.

Retailers make it easier and easier each year to purchase and ship last minute gifts, even up until the 22nd or 23rd of December, yet wouldn’t it be nice to have everything in order allowing us to simply relax during those precious days of holiday break?