Will mail be delivered on Christmas Eve? Well, after thorough research in anticipation of December 24th, 2023, here is what I have to say: Traditionally, mail goes out on Christmas Eve every year, but there is an exception this year; Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday.
Here’s a rundown of all you should know about holiday hours for the post office, mail delivery, FedEx, and UPS on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve Postal Service Schedule
The United States Postal Service delivers mail on Christmas Eve, December 24. The only exception to this delivery schedule is if Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday; because there is no mail on Sundays, there will be no Christmas Eve service.
In other words, since this year’s Christmas Eve falls on Sunday, mail will not be delivered.
Is the Post Office Open on Christmas Eve?
Most post offices are open on Christmas Eve, but their hours are limited. Check your local post office’s website for office hours starting in mid-November. There are extended hours as well as any shortened hours as the holiday approaches. On December 24, locations have reduced lobby and office hours. The hours are usually posted in the lobby, on the doors, and on the website of the location.
Shipping Dates
Additionally, if you need to send packages by Christmas Eve, you should check the Mail-By Dates section of the USPS Holiday Newsroom website. Depending on the shipping method you choose, the last day for sending can range from mid-December to several days before Christmas. Your package will arrive on time if you keep this in mind.
Shipping dates, like office and lobby hours, may be posted in your local office.
No Mail on Christmas Day
Christmas Day (December 25) is designated as an official postal holiday, with no mail delivered and no offices open. However, if a package was sent using Priority Mail Express, it was previously delivered on Christmas Day. Check with your local post office each year to see if this practice has changed for the upcoming holiday season.
All You Should Know About Postal Services & Christmas Eve
#1. United States Postal Services
USPS will be operational on Christmas Eve, with local post offices open. Hours may differ from normal. Specific times should be checked with your local post office.
Mail for Blue Collection boxes may be collected earlier than usual. All regular mail will be delivered if dropped off before noon (even if the collection time on the box is later).
Again, post offices will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and mail will not be picked up or delivered. Priority Mail Express will be the only method of delivery.
Furthermore, post offices will be open, and mail will be delivered on New Year’s Eve, but not on New Year’s Day, as locations will be closed and regular mail will not be delivered.
#2. FedEx
FedEx Express, FedEx Home Delivery, and FedEx Office will have modified services on Christmas Eve.
The FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight services will be suspended. FedEx services, such as FedEx Custom Critical and FedEx SameDay City, will be available. The courier’s Christmas shipping will be impacted beginning December 17.
Except for FedEx Same Day City (modified service) and FedEx Critical, which operate every day of the year, no FedEx services will be available on Christmas Day.
Some FedEx locations will have altered hours prior to the holiday, so contact your local FedEx office to ensure you don’t miss the postal deadline.
Please check the FedEx website for the last days to ship if you are unsure.
#3. UPS
On Christmas Eve, UPS offers delivery for all services. Some UPS locations may have modified business hours, so check with your local store for specific hours of operation.
UPS does not provide pickup or delivery services on Christmas or Boxing Day. UPS Stores are closed on December 25, but some will be open on Boxing Day with modified hours.
The UPS Express Critical Service will be available on December 24 and 25. It is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit upsexpresscritical.com for more information.
Will FedEx and UPS continue to deliver on Christmas Eve in 2023?
As previously mentioned, FedEx will deliver packages, but most services may have altered hours. FedEx Ground, FedEx Ground Economy, and FedEx Freight are the only three FedEx services that will be discontinued. UPS will continue to deliver packages as usual, though some UPS stores may have altered their business hours.
When Does the Postal Service Close?
The post office is closed on 11 federally recognized federal holidays. Don’t expect to receive or send mail on the following dates in 2023:
| CLOSURE DATES | HOLIDAY |
|---|---|
| Jan. 1 | New Year’s Day |
| Jan. 16 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Feb. 20 | Presidents Day |
| May 29 | Memorial Day |
| June 19 | Juneteenth |
| July 4 | Independence Day |
| Sept. 4 | Labor Day |
| Oct. 9 | Columbus Day |
| Nov. 11 | Veterans Day |
| Nov. 23 | Thanksgiving Day |
| Dec. 25 | Christmas Day |
Tips for Ensuring Christmas Delivery
To ensure that your mail is delivered on time, follow these guidelines:
- Check the USPS website’s Mail-By section for the last date to send. Add a couple extra days just in case for the best results.
- Prior to arriving at the post office, have packages clearly labeled with the address.
- Spend a little more money for a faster shipping method if you’re close to the mail-by date.
- Choose a shipping method that includes tracking so you can see where your package is at all times.
- Check with the post office to see if any unusually shaped Christmas cards require extra postage.
Final Thoughts
It’s understandable that last-minute emergencies occur, but it’s always better to plan ahead for different USPS shipping rates and drop off packages early rather than wait until everything shuts down for the holidays. This is the busiest time of year for the post office, so making sure your package arrives on time may be difficult. If you need to ship something close to Christmas, however, USPS has many options for faster shipping and will deliver on Christmas Eve.
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