USPS shipping hours

A post office worker in Chicago, Nov. 29, 2012. Photo: Reuters

For those of us who work late, party late and go holiday shopping late, it is important to know exactly how much time you have until you need to get those presents in the mail. Be forewarned, though: If you wait until after Santa has already dropped down the chimney, eaten your cookies and guzzled down your milk, you may have to wait another 24 hours before your shipping provider will open their doors and help you fill out shipping forms.

The same advice goes for anyone bumping up against a New Year’s deadline for shipping: If you see the ball dropping in New York’s Times Square, you’re going to have to wait another 24 hours.

For the most popular shipping companies, take a look below for holiday hours:

United States Postal Service (USPS): According to the USPS website, you’re in luck if you have your package ready before noon on Christmas Eve or anytime New Year’s Eve. On the 24th, most local post offices close at noon. Post offices are, however, closed on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

As far as collection boxes go, if your blue box is scheduled to pick up before noon, those times won’t be affected and any collection times after 12 p.m. may be rescheduled earlier. If you want your mail picked up from a collection box on either the 24th or 31st, get there early.

Local post offices may post revised hours, so check ahead if you know you’ll be running out of time.

FedEx: Fedex is closed on both Christmas and New Year's Day, however you can schedule a package to be picked up with FedEx SameDay service any time of the year by going to fedexsameday.com. Other than that, services are generally open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but closed on the holidays themselves. You can check on your local operating times here.