Friends and family members sending comfort and joy to servicemembers and others overseas will need to act soon to ensure their materials reach their destinations by Dec. 25, according to the U.S. Post Office’s list of holiday mail deadlines.

Here are some key dates to know whether you are sending a package around the world or across town:

International

• First-class and Priority Mail International mail to Central and South America should be postmarked by Dec. 2.
• First-class and Priority Mail International mail to other overseas destinations (to include Europe and Asia) as well as any Army, Fleet, or Diplomatic post office (APO/FPO/DPO) should be postmarked by Dec. 9.
• Priority Mail Express International Service and Priority Mail Express Military Service (PMEMS) mail should be postmarked by Dec. 16. PMEMS is available to select military locations.

Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories

• Ground Advantage shipments should be postmarked by Dec. 16.
• First-class shipments should be postmarked by Dec. 17.
• Priority Mail shipments should be postmarked by Dec. 18.
• Priority Mail Express Service shipments should be postmarked by Dec. 20.

Domestic

• Ground Advantage and first-class mail should be postmarked by Dec. 17.
• Priority Mail should be postmarked by Dec. 18.
• Priority Mail Express Service shipments should be postmarked by Dec. 20.

[RELATED: Currently Serving Resources From MOAA]

Mailing a package to an APO/FPO address? Order a free Military Care Kit and receive six flat-rate boxes of varying sizes along with tape, address labels, and customs form envelopes. You can also request a kit by calling (800) 610-8734.