When to Mail Christmas Cards in 2026 (USPS Dates + Tips)
By Cedar & Ledger
If you want holiday cards to arrive before Christmas, the key date this year is Thursday, December 17, 2026. That's the U.S. Postal Service's recommended send-by date for First-Class Mail in the U.S. Below is a simple timeline that works backward from it, plus an easy way to keep addresses and a sent/received list in one place.
Dates come from the USPS 2026 holiday shipping page. They are recommendations, not guarantees, so earlier is safer.
USPS 2026 send-by dates for cards
| Where it's going | Send by (for delivery before Dec. 25) |
|---|---|
| Lower 48 states, First-Class Mail (regular cards) | Thursday, Dec. 17 |
| Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, First-Class Mail | Thursday, Dec. 17 |
| International First-Class (Canada, Mexico, Europe and most other regions) | Wednesday, Dec. 9 |
| Military APO/FPO/DPO, First-Class Mail | Wednesday, Dec. 9 (check your ZIP on usps.com) |
Hanukkah runs Dec. 4–12 this year, so mail Hanukkah cards in late November. Check usps.com/holiday for the full tables before you mail.
A relaxed card timeline that works backward
- Early November: build your list. Write down every household you plan to send to. Copy last year's list first, then add new neighbors, coworkers and family.
- Early November: check addresses. Text anyone who moved. Fixing an address now is cheaper than a returned card later.
- Mid-November: order photo cards. Photo printers get busy after Thanksgiving (Nov. 26). Ordering early also lets you catch typos before they print.
- Late November: buy stamps and set a budget. Count cards × (card + stamp + envelope) so there are no surprises. Oversized or square cards may need extra postage.
- First week of December: address and sign. Do it in two or three sittings of 15 to 20 cards.
- By Dec. 9: international and military cards in the mail.
- By Dec. 17 at the latest: everything else in the mail. Aim for Dec. 10–12 if you want breathing room.
- After the holidays: log who sent you a card and update any new addresses while the envelopes are still on the counter.
How to organize a holiday card list
A good card list answers four questions for each household: where to send it, whether you sent one, whether they sent one, and anything to remember next year. Here's a simple layout:
| Household | Address | Sent? | Date | Received? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example: The Lees | 12 Pine St… | ✔ | Dec 5 | ✔ | New baby, use photo card |
| Example: Aunt Rosa | 48 Oak Ave… | ✔ | Dec 6 | — | Moved in June, new address |
A few tips:
- Keep addresses and the tracker together. One spreadsheet tab or one paper booklet beats a pile of envelopes.
- Write down returned cards right away so the bad address doesn't get used again next year.
- Keep a 5-year log if you trade cards with a lot of people. You can see at a glance who you've lost touch with.
- Note the cost. Example: 40 cards at about $1.20 each for photo cards, plus 40 stamps, adds up fast. Seeing the total helps you decide on the list size. Check current stamp prices at the post office.
What a card budget might look like (example)
| Item | Example cost |
|---|---|
| 40 photo cards (with envelopes) | $48 |
| 40 First-Class stamps | Check current USPS price |
| Return address labels | $5 |
| Total | Your number + stamps |
Prices are rough examples. Sales on photo cards are common in November, so it pays to have your list count ready before you order.
To set up your list before you write, see how to organize a Christmas card list.
If you want it on paper: the Holiday Card Address Book & Tracker ($4, details, printable PDF, US Letter and A4) has A–Z address pages for 72 households, send and receive tracker pages, a card budget page, a mailing timeline checklist and a 5-year card log. It's a printable PDF; nothing is shipped. A notebook or a spreadsheet works just as well if you'd rather not buy anything. For the rest of the season, see the holiday printables checklist and the Christmas gift list tracker guide.
Honest note: this guide was written with AI assistance and reviewed before release. Mailing dates are the USPS recommendations published for 2026; delivery times can vary.
Related template: Holiday Card Address Book & Tracker. Also see: Christmas Planner & Budget 2026 Printable · Holiday Printables Bundle 2026
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Try the free holiday gift budget calculator →
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
USPS says mail cards by Dec. 17, 2026 (Dec. 9 international). A timeline from early November, plus how to keep a holiday card list.
What's the main idea?
Hanukkah runs Dec. 4–12 this year, so mail Hanukkah cards in late November. Check usps.com/holiday for the full tables before you mail.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.