The United States Postal Service (USPS) is making sure everyone is prepared for gift giving this holiday season

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It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of the year – and the United States Postal Service (USPS) is making sure everyone is prepared for gift giving this holiday season.

USPS announced recommended shipping and shipping dates for holiday mail and packages in a press release shared on Tuesday, October 8.

In it, the company recommended shipping dates for expected delivery before Christmas Day on December 25 in the contiguous United States, detailing that mailings from the USPS Ground Advantage service and First-Class Mail service should be sent by December 18.

Meanwhile, Priority Mail service should be completed by December 19 and Priority Mail Express service by December 21, USPS said.

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Related: Toddler wakes up at 3am and opens all the presents under the family Christmas tree

For those sending packages from Alaska and Hawaii, USPS said USPS Ground Advantage service mailings must be received by December 16, while First-Class Mail service mailings must be sent by December 18.

The Priority Mail service, meanwhile, should be completed by December 19 and the Priority Mail Express service by December 20, USPS said.

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As for international mail items, USPS recommends sending them a little earlier, in the period from early to mid-December.

For example, items going to Africa must be shipped at the beginning of the month, while packages sent to nearby Canada may be held until the middle of the last month of the year.

Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger on the Good Reason He Gives Out Christmas Gifts Every Year at a Local Center

“USPS urges customers to plan ahead and ship early this holiday season. The sooner you ship, the better; don’t delay, mail and ship today!” USPS reported this in a statement.

Those interested in tips for preparing shipments, including packaging guidelines and information about local post office hours, can do so here.

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