The USPS publishes six holiday cutoffs. Most people only need two of them, and knowing which two saves a lot of anxious calendar-checking.
| Service | Mail by |
|---|---|
| International First-Class | 10 December |
| International Priority | 16 December |
| International Priority Express | 18 December |
| Domestic First-Class | 18 December |
| Domestic Priority | 20 December |
| Domestic Priority Express | 22 December |
The two in bold are the ones to write down. Almost all holiday cards travel First-Class, and the international date is eight days earlier than the domestic one — which is the fact people miss every year.
The Priority and Express rows are recovery options. They work, and they cost several times as much for the same card.
What each mail type costs
| Type | Limit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class letter | Up to 1 oz | $0.73 Forever stamp |
| Each additional ounce | — | $0.24 |
| Priority Mail small flat rate box | Up to 70 lbs | $9.50 |
| Priority Mail Express | Up to 70 lbs | $26.35 |
| International letter | Up to 1 oz | $1.40 |
| International small flat rate box | Up to 4 lbs | $28.50 |
For cards, First-Class is correct and everything else is overpaying. The flat rate boxes only make sense for gifts, where the weight allowance is what you are buying.
Best deals on Forever stamps
Choosing a design by recipient
One design across the whole list is the usual approach and the reason some cards land oddly. A rough mapping:
- Family — traditional wreath or Christmas tree designs, on red or green envelopes. Warm and unambiguous.
- Friends — snowmen, vintage holiday postcard designs, anything with humour in it.
- Colleagues and clients — Flag issues on plain or lightly foiled envelopes. Festive enough, professional first.
- Children — Santa, reindeer, bright illustrated issues. This is the audience that actually looks at the stamp.
- Neighbours and acquaintances — wreaths or snowmen on neutral stock. Warm without presuming closeness.
Flag designs are the safe default across the whole list if you would rather buy one thing. They are never wrong; they are just never surprising either.
Where to buy
Official store — the full seasonal catalogue at face value, reliable but slower in December. Order in October and this is the best option.
Post office counter — immediate, and the seasonal designs go early. Good for topping up, not for planning.
Large marketplaces — convenient and fast, priced at or above face, with authenticity depending on the individual seller rather than the platform.
Verified surplus dealers — bulk discounts and earlier years' designs, shipping in a few business days. The right choice for volume, once you have checked the seller properly.
Whichever you use, the timing advice does not change: buy in October, mail international by the 10th and domestic by the 18th.
Where to buy
The USPS official store for current seasonal issues, or a verified surplus channel such as Forever Stamp Center for bulk and retired designs.
The short version
Write down two dates — international by 10 December, domestic by 18 December — use First-Class for cards and nothing fancier, and buy the stamps in October while the designs still exist.
More on buying Forever stamps
- 👉 Tips for Using Forever Stamps Properly
- 👉 The Gingerbread Houses Stamps Were Photographed, Not Drawn
- 👉 Square, Lumpy, Rigid or Dark: Four Things That Add a Surcharge
USPS specialist based in Los Angeles with extensive experience in postal operations and customer service. Certified in mail management and trained at the USPS Business Mail Academy, she offers reliable guidance on Forever Stamps and practical mailing solutions.
