If you want to get that perfect gift to your loved one before it's time to open the presents, today is the day you will want to get it shipped off.  The U.S. Postal Service is expecting today (Monday, December 15th, 2015) to be the biggest mailing day of the year, for those shipping holiday wishes by standard parcel post and in the U.S.

About 640 million cards, letters and packages are expected to be processed, which is an increase from 607 million from last year.  The U.S. Postal Service is saying the increase from last year to this year can be credited to an increase in advertising and mail package

Depending on the destination, Saturday, December 20th is the absolute deadline to make sure packages, letters and holiday cards arrive on time by First Class Mail and Priority Mail.  Procrastinators could stretch it to Tuesday, December 23rd, but that will need Priority Express Shipping.

To help out their customers, the USPS suggests using the Click N Ship program, which allows users to print their own labels.  You can also request free package pickup online.

Gift givers choosing to ship holiday packages via FedEx on Monday, December 15th, will be shipping on what FedEx calls their busiest day of the year.  FedEx is expecting about 22.6 million packages to move on Monday, which could also set a record as being their busiest day in history. The Last Day To Ship information for FedEx can be found on their website.

Those using United Parcel Service (UPS) can still get their holiday gifts to family and friends living in the U.S. as late as Monday, December 22nd by using UPS 2nd Day Air, and Tuesday, December 23rd is the last day to send packages by UPS via Next Day Air.  Holiday shipping information and other shipping deadlines for UPS are available online.

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