WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the holiday countdown underway, the U.S. Postal Service is urging customers to mail gifts and greetings soon as next week is expected to be the busiest of the year at Post Office locations nationwide.
Customer traffic has been steadily increasing since Dec. 1, and the week of Dec. 15 is projected to see the highest volume of the holiday season, the Postal Service said. Officials reminded customers that recommended shipping deadlines are approaching quickly to ensure delivery before Christmas.
Post Office locations nationwide will be closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, and New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Regular retail operations and mail delivery will resume on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, and Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Hours and services may vary by location, and customers are encouraged to check with their local Post Office or visit usps.com/holidayhours for details.
For delivery before Dec. 25 within the contiguous United States, the Postal Service recommends sending packages by Dec. 17 using USPS Ground Advantage or First-Class Mail, by Dec. 18 using Priority Mail, and by Dec. 20 using Priority Mail Express. Customers mailing items to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or U.S. territories are advised to ship slightly earlier, depending on the service selected. Deadlines for military and international mail are available on the USPS holiday shipping website.
The Postal Service said it has spent much of the year preparing for the holiday peak season, investing heavily in modernization to handle increased mail and package volumes. Network improvements allowed USPS to deliver 45% more packages and more than 350 million mailpieces per operating day in December 2024 compared with competitors.
Since 2020, USPS has installed more than 600 package sorters nationwide, including 94 this year, increasing daily processing capacity to 88 million packages. The agency has also opened nearly 200 processing facilities over the past four years and updated service standards to improve two- and three-day regional delivery.
Workforce stability has been another focus, with nearly 232,000 precareer employees converted to full-time positions since 2020. The Postal Service is also hiring about 14,000 seasonal workers this year to supplement existing staff during peak periods.
USPS continues to expand its delivery fleet, having received more than 36,000 new vehicles to date, including electric vehicles, as part of a long-term plan to modernize transportation and reduce environmental impact.
During the holiday season, USPS will prioritize morning parcel delivery, use enhanced scanning technology and extend retail and pickup hours at high-volume locations. Sunday package delivery has been expanded in select areas, and Priority Mail Express delivery will be available on Christmas Day in some locations for an additional fee.
Customers seeking shipping tips, free supplies or guidance on packing and addressing packages can find resources at usps.com, including short instructional videos designed to help ensure items arrive safely and on time.
