Dear Editor,
As your local Postmaster, I want to share a few insider tips to help make your holiday mailing smooth and stress-free. Every year, we see the same challenge: customers wait until the last minute, and the rush makes things harder for everyone. My best advice? Ship early — don’t wait.
For expected delivery before December 25 within the contiguous United States, here are the recommended mailing dates:
• Dec. 17: USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 18: Priority Mail
• Dec. 20: Priority Mail Express
If you’re sending packages to military or international addresses, please visit usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates for the full list of suggested dates.
Beyond timing, how you pack and address your items makes a big difference. Choose a box that’s sturdy and just slightly larger than your contents. Fill empty spaces with bubble wrap or paper so items don’t shift, and always reinforce seams with strong packing tape (never string or wrapping paper). For fragile items, wrap each piece individually and place heavier items at the bottom.
When addressing packages, write clearly and legibly. Place the recipient’s full name and address in the center, and your return address in the top left corner. Printing labels or using capital letters helps ensure our scanners read them correctly. And here’s a pro tip: tuck a card with both the “to” and “from” information inside the box, just in case the outer label gets damaged.
The Postal Service works hard to deliver your holiday cards and gifts safely and on time, but you can help us by preparing early and packing carefully. Together, we’ll make sure your holiday greetings and packages arrive with care.
Sincerely,
Todd Bouley
Postmaster
Rawlins, WY
