Breaking: December 26 has been declared a federal holiday. If you are holding a package, a pen pal letter, or a swap box, here is the bottom line. Regular USPS mail delivery is paused today, and retail post office counters are closed. Priority Mail Express continues with limited delivery. Self‑service kiosks and lobby access vary by location.
What today’s holiday means for your mail
I confirmed with postal officials this morning that most post office retail windows are dark today. Letter carriers are not running standard routes. Blue collection boxes will be picked up on the next business day. Priority Mail Express is operating, and some processing plants are moving time‑sensitive parcels.
If you need postage, check your local branch lobby. Many buildings keep their PO Box area open, and some have self‑service kiosks that sell labels and print stamps. Those labels will scan in when operations resume. If your branch doors are locked, use USPS.com to buy and print postage at home.
Here is the fastest way to confirm your exact situation:
- Check USPS Service Alerts for your ZIP code.
- Open your local post office hours page and look for holiday notes.
- If you have a pickup scheduled, check your USPS tracking for the latest scan.
- For time‑critical items, call your local branch when their phone line opens tomorrow.
Priority Mail Express is moving today. If it absolutely must arrive, pay for Express and confirm the destination accepts holiday delivery.
Shipping gifts and hobby swaps today
Crafters, board game traders, and postcard clubs, take a breath. Your packages will move again tomorrow. Use today to prep with care, so your item wins the first scan when doors open.
Pack tight. Use fresh tape. Print your label at home and attach it flat, no seams under the barcode. Add a second address card inside the box. For coin folders, miniatures, or vinyl, wrap in inner sleeves or bubble, then use a rigid mailer. If you host a club swap, send members a quick update that parcels will depart on the next business day.
Pen pals and stamp collectors can still drop letters in blue boxes. They will spot the first pickup of the week and arrive just a day later. This is a great time to try themed envelopes or a neat hand cancel request note for your next trip to the counter.
What about UPS, FedEx, and banks
UPS and FedEx set their own hours. Many locations are running modified service today, with some storefronts open on holiday schedules. Access points and lockers may accept drop offs, but pickups can be limited. Always check your tracking page before you head out. If a label says “Tendered” or “Label created,” you may not gain a speed boost by rushing it today.
Banks are closed in line with the federal holiday. ATMs, mobile deposit, and bill pay are available. Big box stores, grocery chains, and hobby shops are mostly open on reduced hours. If you are replacing a missing piece for a model kit or hunting sleeves for card decks, call ahead.
Do not leave rare collectibles in an unattended drop box if pickup is tomorrow. Hold high value items until you can get a counter scan or a staffed handoff.
Make the most of the pause
A closed post office does not have to stall your day. Use the quiet to level up your hobby and prepare for the next shipping window.
- Sort your trade pile, weigh items, and draft labels in USPS.com
- Clean brushes, oil tools, or re‑sleeve decks for league night
- Update your collection log or album pages, then snap photos
- Write notes for your next round of swaps, with thank you cards ready
If you rely on parcel lockers, set a reminder to grab deliveries tomorrow morning. For apartment communities, ask management if the package room will open today. If not, plan a pickup time that fits your schedule so items do not sit.
If you are pressed for time, consider a local handoff. Many hobby clubs run porch exchanges or meetups at coffee shops. A quick message in your group chat can replace a two day ship, and you still get the joy of sharing your craft.
Conclusion
Today’s federal holiday pauses the usual mail rhythm, yet it gives you a clear path. USPS retail counters are closed, standard delivery is off, and Express keeps moving. Private carriers run on modified plans. Banks are closed, but your errands can wait. Prep smart at home, protect your prized items, and queue your shipments for the first scan tomorrow. Your hobby wins when you plan, not when you rush.
