USPS 2011 Holiday Shipping Deadlines Announced

It's that time of year again!  Well, it feels like it has been for quite some time for me.  I started working in a popular craft store a year ago this December.  It's the first time I've ever worked in retail so imagine my shock when I saw that we had Christmas stock start showing up in the store in JULY.  I kid you not.  I typically enjoy this time of year but have been exposed to it for so long already this year, I'm feeling pretty over it already.  lol.  Regardless, I just thought I'd share with you the USPS 2011 Holiday shipping deadlines.  Please remember to buy handmade this holiday season!  =)

The Postal Service wants to make sure that you send all of your holiday mail in time for your family and friends to receive and enjoy for the holidays.  Therefore, in order to ensure timely delivery of your cards, letters or packages, please note the shipping deadlines for the following different types of mail:

DOMESTIC MAIL DEADLINES

Domestic Mail Class	Deadline
FIRST CLASS MAIL®	DEC. 20
PRIORITY MAIL®	DEC. 21
EXPRESS MAIL®	DEC. 22 (Check your local Post Office)
PARCEL POST®	DEC. 15

Following is a list of related holiday dates:

• First night of Hanukkah (Chanukah ) – Dec. 20th at Sunset
• Christmas Eve – Dec. 24th
• Christmas Day – Dec. 25th
• Kwanzaa – Dec. 26, 2011 – Jan. 1, 2012

OUTBOUND INTERNATIONAL MAIL  DEADLINES (SHIPPING TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY)

International Mail Addressed To:	Global Express Guaranteed®(GXG)4	Express Mail International®(EMS)5	Priority Mail International™(PMI)6	First-Class Mail International™
AFRICA	DEC. 20	DEC. 10	DEC. 2	DEC. 2
ASIA/PACIFIC RIM	DEC. 19	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND	DEC. 19	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
CANADA	DEC. 21	DEC. 16	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
CARIBBEAN	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA	DEC. 20	DEC. 10	DEC. 2	DEC. 2
MEXICO	DEC. 21	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
EUROPE	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
MIDDLE EAST	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9