Montana, Circle These USPS Christmas Shipping Dates Now

It may still feel a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but the U.S. Postal Service is already looking ahead to the holiday season. 

Key Shipping Deadlines for Christmas 2026

If you plan on mailing Christmas cards, gifts or packages this year, USPS has released its recommended shipping deadlines for getting those items delivered by Friday, December 25, 2026.  

For those of us in Montana and the rest of the lower 48 states, here are the dates you'll want to keep in mind: 

• USPS Ground Advantage: Thursday, December 17  
• First-Class Mail: Thursday, December 17  
• Priority Mail: Friday, December 18  
• Priority Mail Express: Saturday, December 19  

Those are the recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before Christmas. USPS notes that actual delivery times can vary depending on the origin, destination, time of acceptance, and other conditions.

READ MORE: USPS Holiday Shipping Prices Are Changing for Montana

Shipping Recommendations for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Territories

If you're sending something to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or a U.S. territory, the recommended dates are slightly different: 

• USPS Ground Advantage: Wednesday, December 16  
• First-Class Mail: Thursday, December 17  
• Priority Mail: Friday, December 18  
• Priority Mail Express: Saturday, December 19  

Of course, you don't have to wait until December to start getting your holiday mailing done. USPS is reminding customers that the earlier you send your packages, the better. 

Spread the Magic: USPS Operation Santa

Here's another fun part of the holiday mail season. 

USPS Operation Santa is already accepting letters for 2026. 

READ MORE: Montana Kids Can Already Start Writing Letters to Santa

How to Write Letters to Santa: A Guide for Kids

The program started accepting letters on September 14, so if there's a kid in your life who wants to send a letter to Santa, they can get started now. Letters should be addressed to: 

Santa Claus
123 Elf Road
North Pole, 88888 

Letters need to be postmarked by December 5 to be eligible for potential adoption. There is no guarantee that a letter will be adopted or that a gift will be provided.  

If you'd like to help make someone's holiday wishes come true, registration for people who want to adopt letters begins November 2, with letter adoption beginning November 16.  

So, yes, Christmas is still a few months away. 

Stay Organized: Circling Key Dates on Your Calendar

But if you're planning to send something through the mail, December 17 is the date to circle on your calendar for USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail here in Montana.

If you're looking for a little extra holiday magic, there's nothing stopping you from sending a letter to Santa right now.