As the holiday clock ticks down, one question dominates every household: Does USPS deliver on Christmas Eve? Whether you are waiting for a last-minute gift or sending a final holiday greeting, the answer is a resounding yes, but with several critical caveats for 2025.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down the USPS holiday schedule, mail delivery windows, and how recent federal changes impact your local post office hours.
The Short Answer: Yes, USPS Delivers on Christmas Eve
For 2025, the United States Postal Service has confirmed that it will maintain regular mail delivery and package operations on Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve).
While Christmas Day (December 25) is a total shutdown for the postal service, Christmas Eve is treated as a “modified service day.” This means:
- Regular Mail: Letters, cards, and bills will be delivered to residential and business addresses.
- Packages: Ground Advantage, First-Class, and Priority Mail parcels will be delivered.
- Priority Mail Express: This premium service continues its 365-day delivery cycle, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
USPS Post Office Hours for Christmas Eve 2025
While the mail trucks are on the road, your local retail counter may not be open for the full day.
Early Retail Closures
In 2025, many Post Office locations will observe shortened hours. Most branches are expected to close by 12:00 PM or 3:00 PM local time.
Pro Tip: Always use theUSPS Post Office Locatorto check the specific closing time for your ZIP code before heading out to buy stamps or ship a late package.
Blue Collection Boxes
If you are dropping a letter into a blue mailbox, pay attention to the final pickup time listed on the box. If you drop your mail after the scheduled pickup on Christmas Eve, it likely won’t be processed until the morning of Friday, December 26.
The 2025 Federal Holiday “Twist”
This year, there has been significant buzz regarding an executive order that designated December 24 and December 26 as federal holidays for some government employees.
Does this mean the post office is closed? No. While many administrative federal offices will shut down, the USPS is an independent establishment. To ensure the American public receives their holiday gifts, the Postal Service will remain operational on December 24. They have prepared for this “busiest week of the year” by increasing processing capacity to 88 million packages per day.
Important 2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
If you haven’t shipped your items yet, here are the dates you need to know to ensure delivery by Christmas:
| Service Type | 2025 Deadline (Contiguous U.S.) |
| USPS Ground Advantage | December 17 |
| First-Class Mail | December 17 |
| Priority Mail | December 18 |
| Priority Mail Express | December 20 |
What Happens on Christmas Day?
On Thursday, December 25, all Post Office locations will be closed.
- No regular mail delivery.
- No package pickup.
- Exception: Only Priority Mail Express packages (the most expensive, guaranteed overnight service) will be delivered in select locations for an additional fee.
Regular operations will resume in full on Friday, December 26, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What time will the mail arrive on Christmas Eve?
Mail delivery times on December 24 can be unpredictable. Due to the high volume of packages, your carrier might arrive earlier or significantly later than usual. Some carriers start their routes as early as 6:00 AM to manage the load.
Does USPS deliver Amazon packages on Christmas Eve?
Yes. If your Amazon order is handled by USPS, it will be delivered on Christmas Eve following the standard holiday route schedule.
Can I still get a money-back guarantee on Priority Mail Express?
For shipments sent between December 22 and December 25, the USPS money-back guarantee only applies if the shipment was not delivered (or delivery wasn’t attempted) within two business days.
Summary for 2025 Holiday Mailing
- December 24 (Christmas Eve): Post offices open (shortened hours); mail is delivered.
- December 25 (Christmas Day): Post offices closed; no mail delivery (except Priority Mail Express).
- December 26: Post offices open; regular delivery resumes.