Don't forget about shipping while shopping this year.

You may not need the reminder, but Christmas is right around the corner. Like, three weeks away. Take a deep breath, there's no need to panic. You've got this! Just put your nose to the grindstone and get moving. I'm totally saying this to myself as much as I'm saying it to you. Do. Not. Procrastinate.

I think what happens is that I overestimate how quickly things can be shipped to other places.

Keep in mind that there are a lot of packages that will be making their way through the delivery system between now and New Year's Eve. Millions and millions of packages, that is. In order to make sure yours arrives before Christmas Day, take note of the deadlines below.

United States Postal Service: If you're using retail ground shipping, you will need to have those packages in by December 14. First class mail is December 20, while Priority Mail Service is December 21. You can also use Priority Mail Express Service as late as December 23.

FedEx: If you're using FedEx SmartPost, your deadline is December 9. For Home Delivery or Ground, your packages will need to be in by December 16. Express Saver is December 19, while 2Day and 2Day A.M. are December 23. You can use Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight and First Overnight in the U.S. up until December 23. There will also be some angels delivering on Christmas Day through SameDay, SameDay City Direct, and Same Day City Priority.

UPS: For Ground shipping, packages will need to be in before December 13. You can also use 3 Day Select up until December 19 and 2nd Day Air by December 20. The last day to use Next Day Air will be December 23.

Amazon: Your last day to take advantage of free shipping is December 14, while the last day for standard shipping will be December 18. For Prime members you can take advantage of free delivery up until December 22 and you can use One-Day delivery until December 23.

Of course, the longer you wait, the more money you will spend to get those items there on time. A good rule of thumb is to get those in sooner rather than later. Or just be honest with people and tell them that you're trying to extend the holiday season a few more days.

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