Next Thursday, November 25, kicks off the holiday season with Thanksgiving. For most of us, this marks one of the busiest times of the year. However, we usually get to take the actual holiday off to spend with friends and family. Although most of us don’t plan to mail or receive packages on the actual holiday, you may find yourself in a bind and in need of immediate delivery services. Unfortunately, if you are wondering “Is the post office open on Thanksgiving 2021?” the answer is no. So, if you plan to use mailing and delivery services this holiday season, here’s what you should know.
The Post Office Isn’t Open on Federal Holidays
Since Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, we all get to stay home and enjoy a break from the daily grind. If you aren’t sure which ones are considered federal holidays, here is a complete of all the postal services holidays for 2021.
- New Year’s Day: Friday, January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 18
- Presidents Day: Monday, February 15
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 31
- Independence Day: Monday, July 5
- Labor Day: Monday, September 6
- Columbus Day: Monday, October 11
- Veterans Day: Thursday, November 11
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 25
- Christmas: Saturday, December 25
Unfortunately, that means that there won’t be any mail delivery on Thanksgiving since postal workers also have the day off. However, they will resume regular operations the following day which just happens to be Black Friday.
Other Delivery Options on Thanksgiving 2021
While the physical locations will be closed, customers will still have access to limited services on the USPS website. Once you create an account, you can order stamps or other mailing supplies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will also be able to print out shipping labels or arrange package pickups as well.
However, all mailing, delivery, and shipping services will be unavailable since the post office isn’t open on Thanksgiving 2021. If you need immediate service, you should look for a private provider. While most shipping companies close in observance of the national holiday, there are a few options for emergencies. FedEx Custom Critical and UPS Express Critical services will continue to deliver on Thanksgiving but expect to pay much higher rates than usual.
The Post Office Prepares for the Busiest Week of the Year
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the biggest days of the year for retailers and stores across the country. Since everyone is sending their cards and packages before Christmas, it is also the busiest time to mail, ship, or deliver parcels.
Foot traffic at local post offices steadily increases after December 6. But, the week of December 13 -18 will be the busiest of the entire year. There will be longer lines and delivery times. And, you can also expect price increases through 12:01 a.m. CST on December 26. The post office claims this is so they can stay competitive and cover increased costs due to the increased shipping demands experienced last year.
There may also be delays with new service standards such as reduced hours and longer delivery time for first-class mail. You can also count on increased transit times for packages traveling further distances. So, if you want to ensure your packages arrive in time for the holidays, try to beat the rush and avoid the peak delivery times.
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Jenny Smedra is an avid world traveler, ESL teacher, former archaeologist, and freelance writer. Choosing a life abroad had strengthened her commitment to finding ways to bring people together across language and cultural barriers. While most of her time is dedicated to either working with children, she also enjoys good friends, good food, and new adventures.
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