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Mailing holiday packages? Note these deadlines from UPS, FedEx, and USPS

It's the busiest time of the year for mailing holiday packages. Mark your calendars to ensure your gifts aren't left out in the cold.
/ Source: TODAY
By Jean Chatzky

The USPS predicts that Monday, December 14, will be the busiest mailing and shipping day for holiday packages, letters, and cards. Monday, December 21, is expected to be the busiest delivery day.

Post Office expects Busiest Day Of Year
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 15: People queue up at the Manhattan's General Post Office December 15, 2003 in New York City. The Monday of the week before Christmas is traditionally the busiest mailing day of the year. The US Post Office has prepared by having additional people working, extra trucks and more air transportation than a normal mailing day. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)Stephen Chernin / Getty Images

Try to do your mailing before the big crush, as Helane Becker, managing director and senior research analyst of Cowen and Company says that sometimes "shipping companies have to cut things off so the planes can fly and trucks can head out on time."

Here are the published deadlines from the major shipping services.

USPS: December 15 is the last day the USPS recommends you use standard shipping if you want delivery on time; December 19 is the last day for First Class mail; December 21 for Priority Mail, and December 23 for Priority Mail Express.

UPS: December 18 is the last day to ship UPS 3 Day Select — if you want packages to be delivered before Christmas Day; December 22 is the last day for 2 Day Air, and December 23 is the deadline for overnight packages to arrive on the 24th.

FedEx: December 16 is the last day to ship FedEx Ground if you want delivery by Christmas Day: December 21 is the deadline for Express Saver, and December 22 is the deadline for 2 Day Air. The 23rd is the last day to send overnight packages for arrival on the 24th.

Come back tomorrow to see the next holiday savings tips unlocked!