After this week, there are five weeks until Christmas. We will blink and it will be here. With the double threat of a supply chain shortage and staffing shortages, experts are recommending everyone get a headstart on their holiday shopping and if you will be shipping your holiday cheer the dates for getting your packages where they need to go on time is more important than ever.

The U.S. Postal Service deadlines for packages to be delivered before Christmas Day:

• For retail ground service, send packages by Dec. 15
• First-Class Mail Service, send  by Dec. 17
• Priority Mail Service, send by Dec. 18.
• For Priority Mail Express Service, send by Dec. 23.

UPS is also recommending shipping out packages days to weeks in advance to ensure timely delivery and those deadlines are:

• Dec. 15 is the last day for ground service,
• Dec. 21 is the last day for UPS 3 Day Select service,
• Dec. 22 is the last day for UPS 2nd Day Air service while those using
• UPS Next Day Air service will have to ship out their items by Dec. 23.

Fedex’s deadlines for domestic packages to arrive by Christmas Eve:

• Dec. 9 for FedEx Ground Economy service, your budget-friendly option,
• Dec 21 for FedEx Express Saver and 3Day Freight services,
• Dec. 22 for FedEx 2Day A.M. and 2Day Freight services,
• Dec. 23 for FedEx 1Day Freight, Extra Hours, Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight and First Overnight service.
• Dec. 24 is the last day for FedEx SameDay, Same Day City Priority and SameDay City Direct services.

FedEx advises that if you’ll be shipping anything outside a major city to allow extra transit days. For example, your last day to ship will depend on how far the package has to go.

As you plan your holiday gift-giving make sure to give yourself enough time to get those packages where they need to go in a timely fashion.