Holiday shipping deadlines are quickly approaching. The United States Postal Service has announced the recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Christmas in the 48 contiguous states. December 15th is the deadline for USPS Retail Ground Service. December 18th is the deadline for first-class mail service. December 19th is the deadline for Priority Mail Service. And the final deadline is December 23rd for Priority Mail Express Service.

December 18th is also the final deadline for most holiday military mail with Priority Mail Express Service.

And if you’re needing to send a special letter to the North Pole for the holidays, be sure to drop it off in the big red mailbox in Washington’s Central Park. All letters that contain a clear name and address that are received by noon on December 21st will get a letter back from Santa Claus.