The holiday season is moving forward quickly, and the United States Postal Service is urging Osceola County residents to ship their gifts and greeting cards early to ensure they arrive by Christmas Day. With millions of packages expected to move through the mail system nationwide, USPS has released its recommended 2025 holiday mailing deadlines — and waiting too long could mean presents don’t make it under the tree in time.

USPS 2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines for Delivery by December 25

For deliveries within the contiguous United States (the Lower 48), USPS recommends the following send-by dates:

  • Ground Advantage & First-Class Mail (letters, cards, small packages):
    Ship by Wednesday, December 17

  • Priority Mail:
    Ship by Thursday, December 18

  • Priority Mail Express:
    Ship by Saturday, December 20

For shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, USPS advises mailing Ground Advantage items one day earlier, by December 16.

Why Shipping Early Matters

USPS experiences its highest package volume of the year during December, and the agency warns that unexpected delays — high mail volume, weather issues, sorting slowdowns, or long retail lines — can affect delivery times.

Additionally:

  • December 25 is a postal holiday, meaning no regular mail or package delivery will occur.

  • Packages traveling longer distances, especially outside the Lower 48, often require more shipping time than local or regional mail.

Because of these factors, USPS encourages Americans to send items earlier than the recommended deadlines whenever possible.

Helpful Tip for Central Florida Shippers

For residents in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, and across Osceola County, mailing early — ideally by December 15–16 — provides a comfortable buffer to avoid last-minute congestion in the postal system. This is especially important for large packages, fragile items, and anything being sent out of state.

A Stress-Free Holiday Starts With Early Shipping

USPS reminds customers that holiday deadlines are firm guidelines, not guarantees. Preparing packages early, printing labels ahead of time, and dropping shipments off before the peak rush will help ensure gifts and holiday greetings reach loved ones before Christmas morning.

If you’d like, I can also create a short social media version for Positively Osceola, or add a local mailing checklist with Osceola County post office locations.