Breaking: I can confirm the U.S. Postal Service is open on Christmas Eve. Most post offices will run on reduced or early-closing hours. Regular mail and package delivery will continue in many areas. Christmas Day is a full federal holiday, so USPS is closed then. If you are lining up cards, gifts, and returns, you still have a window to move.
What is actually open on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday. That is why USPS keeps the lights on, with shorter hours in many locations. Retail counters often close early. Some blue collection boxes get earlier final pickups. Rural routes may vary by workload.
If you need a clerk, go early. If you only need postage, look for a self-service kiosk in the lobby. Many lobbies stay open even when the retail window is closed. Mail trucks will prioritize parcels and time-sensitive mail. Expect lighter letter volume and a faster pace at the counter.
Christmas Eve, open with reduced hours. Christmas Day, closed nationwide.
About the new holiday talk, what it means for your mail
There has been fresh noise about new federal holidays. Here is the ground truth. Congress sets statutory federal holidays. Presidents can issue proclamations and guidance, but those do not automatically close USPS across the country. USPS follows the federal holiday calendar. That means Christmas Eve remains a normal operating day, with local adjustments.
So, your plan does not need a rewrite. You can still mail on the 24th. Just aim earlier in the day, and check your branch hours before you go.
Use the USPS Find Locations tool to see holiday hours, last pickup times, and kiosk availability at your nearest post office.
Your game plan for a smooth Christmas Eve mail run
Treat this like a quick hike, not a marathon. Pack smart, move light, and enjoy the route. Print your labels at home. Tape your boxes before you leave. Fill customs forms in advance if you are sending abroad. Bring a small tote for loose gifts and cards.
- Check your local post office hours, and last pickup times, before you head out.
- Use flat rate boxes for heavy items. It keeps costs predictable.
- Schedule a free carrier pickup from home if your area offers it.
- Carry a photo ID if you are picking up held mail or a package.
Last-minute delivery choices that still work
If your gift is cutting it close, compare options. UPS and FedEx run their own holiday schedules. Many stores partner with local couriers for same-day handoff. A digital gift can also land right on time, and still feel personal when you pair it with a handwritten card.
Consider a hybrid move. Drop a small, symbolic item into the mail on Christmas Eve, like a printed photo or recipe card. Send the main gift digitally, such as an audiobook, a class subscription, or event tickets. The keepsake arrives next week. The experience starts today.
Cutoff times change by location. The last blue box pickup on the 24th may be hours earlier than normal. Do not assume.
Make it a festive errand, not a chore
Lean into the season. Wrap your parcels in plain kraft paper, then add a bright ribbon. Tuck in a cookie recipe or a tea bag for a cozy touch. Write a postcard to a grandparent, a coach, or a neighbor you appreciate. Small notes travel far.
Turn the post office trip into a mini outing. Walk the family to your neighborhood collection box. Bring a thermos of cocoa. Queue up a holiday playlist or a short podcast while you wait. If the line is long, it becomes a pocket of calm, not a time sink. 📬
The bottom line
USPS is open on Christmas Eve, with reduced hours in many locations. USPS is closed on Christmas Day. The recent holiday talk does not change that. If you plan ahead, you can still ship, send, and smile before the big day. Check your local hours, prep your boxes, and enjoy the errand. Your gifts will move, and your holiday rhythm will, too.
