Does USPS Deliver On Christmas Eve 2024? Must Read!!

The holiday season is the busiest time of year for sending gifts, cards, and packages to friends and family across the country. With Christmas Eve falling on a Tuesday in 2024, it raises the question – will mail and packages be delivered the day before Christmas?

The short answer is: No, there will be no regular USPS mail delivery or UPS and FedEx home services on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mail delivery, post office hours, and shipping carrier schedules for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2024. You’ll learn about package shipping deadlines, potential service exceptions, and how to prepare for holiday closures.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Recommended deadlines to ship packages for Christmas 2024 delivery
• USPS mail delivery and post office schedules on December 24-25
• UPS and FedEx delivery services and store hours on December 24-25
• Open and closed businesses and services on Christmas Eve and Day
• Shipping and mailing tips to handle holiday closures and delays

Let’s start with a quick overview of key shipping and delivery dates for Christmas 2024.

Recommended Holiday Shipping Deadlines for Christmas Delivery

To ensure your packages and cards arrive by December 25, 2024, you should ship out early. Here are the recommended shipping deadlines for the US Postal Service (USPS), UPS, and FedEx:

• USPS Retail Ground – December 16
• First Class Mail – December 16
• Priority Mail – December 18
• Priority Mail Express – December 20
• UPS Ground – Go to the UPS website and find the shipment deadlines.
• FedEx Ground – December 15

Ship your packages by these dates to avoid holiday delays. If you need an expedited delivery option close to Christmas, UPS and FedEx have express shipping with later deadlines. USPS Priority Mail Express is guaranteed for Christmas as long as you ship by December 18.

For international packages, add 1-2 extra weeks to those deadlines. Overseas mail needs even more time to clear customs and travel long distances.

Will USPS Deliver Mail on Christmas Eve 2024?

In 2024, Christmas Eve falls on Tuesday, December 24. The United States Postal Service observes Sundays as non-delivery days all year round.

So there will be no regular USPS mail delivery on Christmas Eve 2024. This includes First Class Mail, marketing mail, packages, or anything else handled by your local post office.

Blue collection boxes will also not be serviced by USPS letter carriers on December 24. The last day to drop off mail or packages for potential delivery before Christmas Day is Monday, December 23 by the final collection time.

Mail deposited before noon on Saturday may be delivered the same day, although there are no guarantees. Anything mailed after the final pickup will likely wait until Wednesday, December 27 for processing and delivery.

The only exception is Priority Mail Express, where USPS offers very limited delivery to some locations for an extra fee on Christmas Eve. All other mail classes and packages do not get delivered again until the holiday is over.

Will Post Offices Be Open on Christmas Eve?

United States Postal Service post offices and branches are closed every Sunday of the year, including Christmas Eve 2024.

With December 24 falling on a Sunday, all USPS retail services will be unavailable – this means no counter hours to buy stamps, ship packages, pick up mail, or anything else.

The last day to visit your local post office and use USPS services will be Monday, December 23, 2024 during regular business hours. Saturday hours vary by location, so contact your local branch ahead of time.

Many post offices close earlier than usual on the last Saturday before Christmas. You can use the USPS Post Office Finder to check holiday hours for your preferred branch.

Is USPS Open and Delivering Mail on Christmas Day 2024?

Christmas Day is a federal holiday observed on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. The Postal Service will be fully closed in observance of the holiday, with no mail delivery or retail service availability.

The only USPS delivery exception on Christmas Day is Priority Mail Express to a very limited number of locations, for an additional fee. All other mail classes will not be delivered on December 25.

Regular USPS mail delivery and post office services will resume on Thursday, December 26, 2024 after the Christmas holiday.

Are UPS and FedEx Delivering Packages on December 24-25?

UPS and FedEx also observe Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as official company holidays. Services will be limited or suspended completely on December 24-25, 2024:

UPS Holiday Schedule

• No pickups or deliveries on Tuesday, 12/24 or Wednesday, 12/25
• Potentially modified hours for UPS Store locations on Christmas Eve
• UPS Express Critical available for urgent same-day delivery on 12/25

FedEx Holiday Schedule

• No FedEx Express, Ground, Home Delivery, or Freight service on 12/24 and 12/25
• Potentially modified hours for FedEx Office locations on Christmas Eve
• FedEx Custom Critical deliveries available on 12/25

For specific details on service availability and modified store hours in your area, check the UPS and FedEx websites as the Christmas holiday approaches. To avoid delays, ship packages by the recommended deadlines above.

What Other Services and Businesses Are Closed Christmas Eve and Day?

Along with the postal service and delivery carriers, you can expect closures and reduced hours for many other businesses and services, including:

• Federal, state, and local government offices
• Public libraries
• Schools and universities
• Stock markets (closed Wednesday 12/25, early close 12/24)
• Major retail stores, malls, and shopping centers

Banks are generally closed, although services like online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs may be available.

Gas stations, convenience stores, movie theaters, restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores, and some other retailers typically remain open on December 24-25 but often with shortened hours.

It’s best to call ahead to confirm holiday schedules for your local businesses. Hours can vary by location.

Will Mail and Packages Deliver as Usual the Day After Christmas?

Thursday, December 26, 2024 comes right after the Christmas holiday. This day is not a federal holiday or company-observed vacation day.

So the USPS, UPS, FedEx, and banks all resume their regular operating schedules and full services on December 26.

You can expect mail and package deliveries as usual the day after Christmas. Postal carriers and delivery services do not get any breaks between federal holidays. Letter carriers will be out making their usual rounds on the 26th.

How to Handle Christmas Eve and Day Closures When Shipping Gifts?

To make sure your holiday packages, cards, and other mailings arrive on time before December 25, follow these tips:

• Ship early – Send out gifts and cards at least 1-2 weeks before Christmas, if possible. The earlier you mail, the better.
• Check shipping deadlines – Verify the last days to ship for your specific carrier and mail class. Stick to the recommendation.
• Drop off mail on 12/23 – Get packages into the postal system by December 23 for the best chance of pre-holiday delivery.
• Avoid 12/24-25 – No regular USPS, UPS, FedEx home delivery on Tuesday 12/24 or Wednesday 12/25. Use special express services only.
• Confirm holiday hours – Check your local post office, shipping store, or bank hours in advance – some close early or open late around holidays.
• Use online services – Print shipping labels, schedule pickups, track packages all online to skip holiday postal crowds.
• Watch for surcharges – Be aware of potential holiday delivery fees around peak demand periods.
• Have patience – Understand deliveries may take an extra day or two with closures and volume.

Key Takeaways on Christmas Eve and Day Postal and Delivery Service

Here are some key facts to remember about mail and package delivery around the 2024 Christmas holiday:

• No regular USPS mail delivery on Tuesday 12/24 or Wednesday 12/25. Very limited Priority Express only.
• Post offices closed 12/24-25 – Make any USPS transactions by 12/23 Monday.
• UPS closed 12/24-25 – Only critical and same-day delivery options.
• FedEx closed 12/24-25 – Only Custom Critical and urgent services.
• Ship early by carrier deadlines to avoid holiday delays.
• USPS, UPS, FedEx resume delivery on Thursday 12/26 after Christmas closures.

The bottom line: Ship and mail all your holiday gifts, cards, and other packages well before the recommended shipping deadlines to ensure timely delivery before December 25. With limited or no service on December 24-25 from USPS, UPS, and FedEx, you need to plan around these closures. Avoid delays and disappointment by sending your Christmas mail early and scheduling deliveries around the Tuesday 12/24 and Wednesday 12/25 holiday closures.