If you plan to send holiday cheer through the mail, you might want to hurry. The deadline to mail presents and cards is coming up quickly.

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Sending gifts through the mail? According to RealSimple.com, the USPS recommends anyone shipping gifts in the Quad Cities through USPS Retail Ground service put their items in the mail by December 15, 2020.

If you don't mind paying a bit more or if you're running behind you can ship or mail items by December 18 through First-Class Mail or packages services or by December 19 through Priority Mail Service. The Priority Mail Express service—the most costly option—has a December 23 deadline.

You still have some time if you plan to send holiday cards. The deadline for cards is December 18. Keep in mind delivery dates are not guaranteed unless you pay top dollar for an express service.

Since it's 2020 more people are using more online services, aren't traveling or visiting family and friends in person, so there will be a record number of items in the mail.  The busiest time for the post office is the two weeks before Christmas. Expect long lines and longer wait times to mail your packages.

Here's where you can find more information from USPS to get your holiday items to friends and family.

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