Shipping gifts for the holidays? If it’s important they arrive at their destination by Dec. 24, you’ll want to be aware of these “ship by” dates.

The U.S. Postal Service says the latest you’ll want to ship by ground anywhere in the contiguous U.S. is Dec. 17. You can literally buy yourself a few more days using Priority Mail Express, but, of course, that will cost you. Advertisement

If you opt for FedEx or UPS ground delivery, plan for Dec. 16 or 17 being your last date. Both carriers offer faster delivery services if you’re in a pinch, but know that it might not be an option in all locations and could significantly increase the cost. Each company offers online tools ( UPS , FedEx ) to help you compare delivery and cost. Make sure to enter the origin and destination zip codes to get

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