Today's the first of the holiday mail deadline dates. And, since this mail carrier (photographed on Newbury Street yesterday) looks as if he needs something to do, lets get those holiday cards and packages on their way!
This post is from 2008. Click here for the 2010 information.
If you're mailing a package to someone serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, it will have to be at the post office today for Christmas delivery, according the United States Postal Service.
Postal Service 2008 Mail-by Dates
Dec. 4 - Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan
Dec. 11 - Military mail to other international destinations
Dec. 16 - Parcel Post, the most economical service
Dec. 20 - First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 - Priority Mail
Dec. 23 - Express Mail
Here's a link to find the post office nearest to you or the one with the longest hours. For example, the Postal facility next to South Station, at 25 Dorchester Avenue is open 6 AM to Midnight daily.
http://usps.whitepages.com/post_office
Here's a link to the Holiday Information for 2008
UPS 2008 Pick-up and Delivery Dates
UPS has all its deadlines for the year end holidays at the link below. Depending on how much you are willing to pay, they will be accepting packages right up to the holiday.
http://www.compass.ups.com/article/article.aspx?id=2289
Updated: 12.17.08- this just arrived by email
"2008 Package Holiday Schedule Change
An important change has been made to the UPS year-end holiday operations schedule. Due to the number of businesses expected to be closed on Dec. 26, UPS will not make normally scheduled pickups.
Pickup service will be provided for air and international shipments if prearranged by Wednesday, December 24.* You may prearrange an air or international pickup by calling 1-800-PICK-UPS® or letting your account executive or driver know. Also, on Dec. 26, air and international packages will be picked up via UPS On-Call Pickup® service, at all UPS Drop Boxes, and at locations of The UPS Store®.
The UPS Holiday Schedule has been updated to reflect this change.
*Note: Dec. 26 is a transit day for all air and international packages, and for ground packages picked up before Dec. 24.
Winter Weather Causing Delays
Snow and ice is affecting delivery service throughout the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. A Service Update has been posted to ups.com that lists the states and ZIP Codes that are currently impacted. UPS will update this information as conditions change."
FedEx 2008 Pick-up and Delivery Dates
FedEx has clear charts of options and will pick up and deliver on December 25th within the USA for the worst procrastinators.
http://www.fedex.com/us/holiday/shipping/lastdaystoship.html
