Breaking: The post office is adjusting holiday hours after the president named December 24 and December 26 federal holidays. Here is what that means for your mail, your hobby table, and your weekend plans. I have the details you need, and the smart moves to make today.
What changed today
USPS follows the federal holiday calendar. That means retail counters will close on December 24 and December 26. Regular mail delivery will pause on both days. Sorting and transport continue in the background, but the last mile slows down. You may still see movement on tracking. You should not expect a normal route or an open counter.
Many lobbies stay open. Self service kiosks often remain available. Blue boxes still accept mail, though final collection times may shift. Plan around that window.
Check your USPS tracking twice today and tomorrow. It will show if a package is out for delivery, held at a facility, or queued for the next active delivery day.
Private carriers, like UPS and FedEx, use different holiday schedules. Some locations will accept drop offs, others will not. Do not assume your local shipping store follows the same plan as USPS.
What it means for your mailbox
Expect a two day pause around Christmas. December 25 is already a federal holiday. With December 24 and 26 added, the next normal delivery push concentrates on December 27. That creates a surge. Some items arrive later than expected. Gifts, prescriptions, and returns feel the squeeze most.
If you shipped early, you are fine. If you are mailing today, pack patience. Priority Mail Express may still move in select areas, which is typical on federal holidays, but it is not guaranteed everywhere. Watch your tracking page, not the label promise.
For senders, think pickup instead of delivery where possible. Hold for pickup at your local post office can be a lifesaver. For receivers, consider authorizing a pickup at the counter once it reopens.
Turn the pause into a hobby day
This is a chance to embrace slow mail as a lifestyle. Pull out your stationery. Write the letters you put off all month. Decorate envelopes, sort stamps, and plan a postcard sprint for the next open day. The holiday break gives you quiet hours to enjoy the craft.
Stamp collectors, use the downtime to inventory albums and prep swaps. Letter writers, set up a cozy desk. Brew tea. Queue a playlist. Address a stack of cards for the 27th. Pen pals will cheer when the flow resumes. ✉️
Postmark fans, note this. The first open day after a long closure often yields crisp cancels. Prepare your covers now. Walk them in early when doors open.
Ship smart today
You still have options. You just need a sequence and a calm plan.
- Print labels at home, then drop at a kiosk or secure location before the day’s last acceptance time.
- Compare carrier hours for the exact ZIP codes you use. If USPS is closed, a private counter might be open.
- Shift promises by two days for any gift still in transit. Tell the recipient what to expect, and include a note or photo of the gift.
- Use holds and pickups. Schedule a carrier pickup for the next active day, or request a hold at the post office if security is a concern.
Time sensitive items need backup. If a delivery is critical, confirm hours with the local branch, then consider a courier or in person handoff.
Where to get reliable updates
Go straight to the source. Use USPS Service Alerts for system wide notes. Open your Informed Delivery dashboard to see what is coming, and when it scans next. Call your local branch for lobby kiosk hours, since those vary by location. For private carriers, check their holiday pages and store locators, not a map listing.
Two useful habits help all season. Refresh tracking before you leave home. Save receipts and label numbers in one note on your phone. That small routine saves time at the counter and reduces stress when lines are long.
The bottom line
The holiday rhythm just shifted. Post office counters close on December 24 and December 26, and regular mail pauses. Use the break to write, sort, and create. Ship with intention, confirm hours, and let tracking guide you. The mail will move again, and your hobby will thrive in the quiet. Then the doors open, the cancels snap, and your letters fly. 📬
