Christmas holiday mail delivery deadlines
Whether it’s a festive greeting card, a box of cookies, or something more, if you’re planning to mail items to friends and family this year, here are some handy dates to keep in mind to ensure they arrive on time.
Holiday Cards
Given their small size and relatively simple delivery needs, holidays cards are the least pressing items when it comes to delivery date deadlines. Canada Post suggests out-of-province cards be mailed by December 15, in-province cards by Dec. 16, and local cards by Dec. 19.
The cut-off for most international deliveries is November 29, with the United States as the exception at Dec. 13.
Holiday Packages
Whether near or far, sometimes you can’t be with loved ones on the big day but would still like to send them a little something. Depending on what speed of service you’re willing to shell out for, Canada Post suggests Canadian parcels should be sent as early as Dec. 12, or as late as Dec. 22. International destinations have varying deadlines from back in October with standard delivery, with cutoffs as late as Dec. 17 for Europe, Asia and the Middle East with Priority Worldwide service.
If you can’t get to a postal outlet or prefer another shipping method, FedEx Canada is able to ship most parcels up until Dec. 22. UPS Canada offers guaranteed Saturday delivery for select destinations with their Express service, making a last-minute Christmas Eve delivery a possibility for even the most stellar procrastinator. See their site for conditions and service guarantees.
Keep in mind that the longer you wait to send, the more you’ll pay for that expedited service.
Online Retailers
If you’re one of those people who prefer to do all their holiday shopping online, keep in mind that many retailers have different shipping guideline cutoffs. For example, Amazon.ca will ship orders placed up until Dec. 21 to urban centres like Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, but remote areas have a cutoff of Dec. 15. Be sure to check a store’s holiday shipping policy before paying for an order if you’re unsure it will arrive in time.
More from Shine on Yahoo! Canada
Stay organized this holiday season
How to get the gifts you want
Guide to holiday tipping
