Holiday Mail Deadlines 2026 for Military Care Packages

If you are sending a Christmas care package to a service member at an APO, FPO or DPO address, the U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing it by Wednesday, December 9, 2026, for First-Class Mail or Priority Mail, and by Wednesday, December 16, for Priority Mail Express Military Service where it is available. The USPS Ground Advantage date for military mail, November 4, has already passed. Mailing early is the best way to get it there before December 25.

Holloman families know this one well, and so do grandparents and friends here in Alamogordo with someone serving overseas. Here are the dates and tips in one place.

What are the 2026 holiday mailing deadlines for APO, FPO and DPO addresses?

These are the USPS recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25:

USPS says Priority Mail Express Military Service is only available to selected military and diplomatic Post Offices, so ask at the counter before you count on it. Hanukkah runs December 4 to 12 this year, so mail earlier for those gifts.

What are the deadlines for mail within the U.S.?

If your package is going to family elsewhere in the lower 48 states, USPS recommends these dates for delivery before December 25:

For most international addresses, USPS lists Wednesday, December 9, for First-Class Package International and Priority Mail International.

How do I address a package to an APO or FPO?

The USPS military and diplomatic mail page says every package needs the service member's name, rank and unit, plus the APO, FPO or DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code. A few more rules to know:

• Address it to a person. Mail to "Any Service Member" is no longer permitted.
• Leave off the city and country. Including them can send your package into a foreign mail system.
• Always add a return address.
• Plan for customs forms. Packages to military addresses overseas often need one, and Click-N-Ship will tell you which form you need.

Can I get free boxes for a military care package?

Yes. USPS says you can order free Priority Mail APO/FPO Large Flat Rate Boxes online from the Postal Store, and your carrier will deliver them to your door. You also pay domestic prices when you ship to an APO, FPO or DPO address, even though it is going overseas.

When your box is packed, you can print a label at home and schedule a free package pickup, or take it to a Post Office. Use the USPS location finder to find hours for the Post Office nearest you.

What does this mean for military families in Alamogordo?

Holidays apart are hard, and a box from home can make a big difference. If you are a Holloman family with a spouse deployed, or you just moved here and are still settling in, put December 9 on the calendar now and give yourself a few extra days.

If you are PCSing to Holloman, my Holloman AFB relocation guide and first week in Alamogordo post can help you get settled. For family events this season, see my Alamogordo holiday events list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mailing dates and rules come from the U.S. Postal Service's 2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines and Military and Diplomatic Mail pages, checked 10 November 2026. Dates are recommendations, not guarantees, so check with your Post Office before you mail.