If you’re wondering how much time you have left to send gifts from the Rockford area to wherever you have waiting recipients this holiday season, you're not alone.

Changes to delivery times, along with the "has to be sent by" schedules of the major carriers have got people stressing out from coast-to-coast.

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Santa Claus was tired under stress with a headache
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Let's Try To Keep Shipping Panic To A Minimum With A Deadline Guide

Andy Williams made the line "It's the most wonderful time of the year" famous in song, and chances are it was a lot happier for him because he had people to take care of getting his Christmas gifts mailed out. Big stars are like that.

For the rest of us, our "people" pretty much means ourselves. If something is going to get where it needs to be on time, we've got to work that into our already busy holiday schedules.

Knowing exactly when it has to be placed in the hands of those who make the deliveries should cut some of the stress.

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Here's What The Major Carriers Say About Holiday Deliveries

One of the things you can do to make sure your gifts arrive on time is review the retailer’s expected delivery windows before you make your purchase. If standard delivery won’t work, some stores offer expedited shipping options for a fee.

Consumer Reports says that if you're running late this year, "Be aware that some carriers such as FedEx are guaranteeing last-minute deliveries (even, in some cases, as late as Christmas Day), but this may carry restrictions and extra fees."

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Here's The Schedules You'll Need To Get Stuff There On Time

If you want your items delivered before Christmas Day (December 25th), here's what you need to know.

U.S. Postal Service:

Dec. 15th: Last day for USPS Retail Ground Service

Dec. 17th: Last day for First-Class Mail Service

Dec. 18th: Last day for Priority Mail Service

 

UPS:

Dec. 21st: Last day to ship UPS 3 Day Select for delivery Thursday, Dec. 24th

Dec. 22nd: Last day to ship UPS 2nd Day Air packages for delivery Thursday, Dec. 24

Dec. 23rd: Last day to ship UPS Next Day Air for delivery Thursday, Dec. 24

 

FedEx:

Dec. 9th: Last day to ship via FedEx Ground (Economy)

Dec. 15th: Last day to ship via FedEx Ground (U.S.) and FedEx Home Delivery

Dec. 21st: Last day to ship via FedEx Express Saver

Dec. 22nd: Last day to ship via FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M.

Dec. 23rd: Last day to ship via FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, and FedEx First Overnight

Dec. 24th: Last day to ship via FedEx Same Day

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