Getting a Christmas card in the mail is one of the best parts of the holidays! If you plan on mailing cards to your friends and family members, it’s best to send them out as soon as possible to beat the holiday rush. If you’re running behind, don’t worry—there are a few ways to send your cards to get them to their destinations by Christmas Day.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
USPS
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Send your cards in the regular mail by December 15th. This is the last day that the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends sending your cards through their ground service. You can drop your cards off in a blue mailbox or you can put them in your own mailbox for your postal person to pick up—whatever’s easier! [1] X Research source
- You can also drop your cards off at any post office nearby.
- Make sure you have a stamp on every envelope!
- You can use Mr, Mrs, or Ms, with a period to address a Christmas card envelope.
- There is Miss, for young girls.
- If there is more than one family with different last names, you can write their last names and family. For example, the Claytor Smith Family.
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Choose First Class Mail if you ship December 16th to 18th. This will be slightly more expensive, but it gives your cards a better chance of getting to their destinations before Christmas. You can buy First Class Mail stamps at a post office or online. [2] X Research source
- To buy First Class Mail stamps, visit https://www.usps.com/ship/first-class-mail.htm .
- If you live in Hawaii, ship your cards using First Class Mail by December 15th. They may take a little longer to reach their destination.
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Go for Priority Mail Service if you ship on December 19th. This will ensure that your cards get to their destinations within 1 to 3 business days. Prices start at $7.50, even for a small envelope, so try to get your cards sent out before the 19th. [3] X Research source
- To purchase a Priority Mail Service label, visit https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail.htm .
- If you live in Hawaii, use Priority Mail Service if you’re mailing your cards on or after December 15th.
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Use Priority Mail Express Service to mail your cards on December 23rd. This is the most expensive option (starting at $26.35 for a small envelope), but your cards will reach their destination either overnight or in 2 days. The USPS also offers a money-back guarantee, so you can be reimbursed if your cards don’t make it on time. [4] X Research source
- To purchase a Priority Mail Express Service label, visit https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail-express.htm .
- If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, use Priority Mail Express Service if you’re mailing your cards on or after December 21st.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
FedEx
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Use regular ground services by December 15th. You can ship envelopes via FedEx up until December 15th to get them delivered by Christmas. Prices for shipping envelopes vary, but they’re usually between $7 and $9. [5] X Research source
- You can visit a FedEx store to drop off your envelopes and purchase shipping labels, or you can create one online.
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Choose 2-day shipping if you send your cards on December 21st or 22nd. The prices for this shipping label vary, but it will be slightly more expensive than normal ground shipping. Your cards will be delivered just before or on Christmas Day. [6] X Research source
- For small envelopes, 2-day shipping is usually around $18.50. [7] X Research source
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Pick 1-day or second-day shipping on December 23rd or 24th. Your cards will make it just in time for Christmas with this option. You can schedule a pickup from your home or drop off your cards at a FedEx store. [8] X Research source
- For a small envelope, 1-day shipping is usually around $33.00. [9] X Research source
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Pick same-day priority shipping on December 25th. This is the most expensive option, but your cards will reach their destination that same day. The price varies greatly depending on what city you’re in and where the card is going. [10] X Research source
- You can buy a FedEx envelope or purchase a shipping label at a FedEx store near you.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
UPS
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Pick normal ground shipping up until December 15th. Your cards will definitely make it on time for Christmas, so you won’t have to pay anything extra. Visit a UPS store or go online to print out your shipping labels. [11] X Research source
- Mailing a small envelope via UPS usually costs $8.25. [12] X Research source
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Go for 3-day shipping if you send your cards on December 21st. This will guarantee that your envelopes make it on time for Christmas. You have to pay slightly more for this service, but your cards will get there! [13] X Research source
- The cost for 3-day shipping varies greatly depending on where you are and where your letter is going. You can calculate your shipping cost by visiting https://www.theupsstore.com/tools/estimate-shipping-cost .
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Choose second-day shipping on December 22nd. Your cards will be delivered via plane, so they’ll make it in time for Christmas. You can make a 2-day shipping label online or at any UPS store.
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Pick next-day shipping on December 23rd. This is the last day you can ship your cards via UPS to get them delivered before Christmas. UPS doesn’t do deliveries on Christmas Day, so your cards will get to their destinations on December 24th. [14] X Research source
- To make a next-day shipping label, visit https://www.ups.com/us/en/shipping/services/domestic/next-day-air.page .
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI mailed 2 cards from Arlington, MA to New Hampton, NH 9 days ago and they still haven't arrived. Is it possible they can be this delayed, or should I assume they are lost?T. ChinsenTop AnswererMail within a week of Christmas will in all likelihood be very delayed. It can be as much as 7-10 days from the drop off date to the arrival date. If the cards do not arrive after 10 or more days, they are probably lost. Contact the postmaster of both zip codes to alert them of the problem. If no one knows of the problem, then no one will fix it.
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Tips
- If you’re sending your cards through the United States Postal Service and don't need expedited shipping, use a standard $0.55 stamp for regular-shaped cards and envelopes. If you’re sending out large, square, or irregularly-shaped envelopes, use the $0.70 stamps. [15] X Research sourceThanks
- Make sure each envelope has the recipient's correct address, your return address, and the proper postage.Thanks
- Prepare your cards the week after Thanksgiving so you can send them at the cheapest rate.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm
- ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/holiday/last-days-to-ship.html
- ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/holiday/last-days-to-ship.html
- ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/one-rate.html
- ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/holiday/last-days-to-ship.html
- ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/one-rate.html
- ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/holiday/last-days-to-ship.html
- ↑ https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/media/en_US/US_Holiday_Operations_Schedule.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ups.com/us/en/services/shipping/simple-rate.page
- ↑ https://www.ups.com/us/en/services/shipping/simple-rate.page
- ↑ https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/media/en_US/US_Holiday_Operations_Schedule.pdf
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/ship/first-class-mail.htm
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