Christmas, on time
2026 holiday mailing deadlines
Pick a shipping service and see exactly how many days you have left. Dates come from the carriers' published 2026 holiday schedules.
What is the last day to mail a letter so it arrives before Christmas in 2026?
As of November 2026, USPS recommends mailing First-Class Mail and Ground Advantage by December 17, Priority Mail by December 18 and Priority Mail Express by December 19 for delivery before December 25 within the contiguous U.S. These are recommendations, not guarantees, so mailing a week or more earlier is safer.
What is the deadline for USPS Operation Santa?
As of November 2026, USPS says a child's letter to Santa must be postmarked by December 5 to be eligible for Operation Santa. USPS does not guarantee that any letter will be adopted or answered, so treat it as a lovely possibility rather than a promise.
Do these dates apply to Alaska, Hawaii or military addresses?
No. Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, international and military (APO/FPO/DPO) addresses have their own earlier USPS dates. Check the USPS holiday table for your ZIP code or destination before relying on the dates here.
How early should I order a personalized letter from Santa?
As soon as you decide. Wonderkin's listings say the printed Santa set ships in two to three business days and the digital set is delivered in one to two business days, so build in extra days for shipping before you need to place it.