Holiday Mail Crunch Hits Billings: What You Need To Know Before Mailing Gifts

If you’re a last-minute gift mailer, this is your gentle nudge. The USPS has officially announced its holiday shipping deadlines, and if you want your packages to make it under the tree by December 25, you’ll want to pay attention… especially here in Billings, where we all know winter weather loves to make its own plans and completely mess us up.

Send-By Dates for the Lower 48 (That’s Us!)

For anyone mailing gifts from Montana to anywhere in the contiguous U.S., here’s what you’re working with:

• USPS Ground Advantage: December 17
• First-Class Mail: December 17
• Priority Mail: December 18
• Priority Mail Express: December 20

If you tend to procrastinate, Priority Mail Express is your final lifeline… but don’t push it. Weather delays in December are basically a Montana tradition.

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Special Dates for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico & Territories

If you’re sending gifts beyond the mainland, maybe to family stationed in Alaska, or a friend sunning it up in Puerto Rico, these dates apply:

• USPS Ground Advantage: December 16
• First-Class Mail: December 17
• Priority Mail: December 18
• Priority Mail Express: December 20

These deadlines come up sooner, so plan ahead if your gifts have a longer distance to travel.

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Avoid Holiday Chaos by Shipping Early

Don’t wait. Truly. Between winter storms, icy roads, and everyone else in town mailing packages at the exact same time, earlier is better. Your future self and your gift recipients will thank you later. Now go get those packages out the door before the deadlines pass!