ATLANTA — The U.S. Postal Service is already looking ahead to the holiday season, releasing its 2025 mailing and shipping deadlines and relaunching its annual Operation Santa campaign.

To make sure packages arrive in time for Christmas Day, USPS says customers should plan to send:

• Ground Advantage Service and First-Class Mail by Dec. 17
• Priority Mail by Dec. 18
• Priority Mail Express by Dec. 20

The agency is also inviting families across Georgia and the country to take part in Operation Santa, which officially opened this week.

The program allows children and families to write letters to Santa Claus, which are then “adopted” by volunteers, businesses, and community groups who help fulfill holiday wishes.

Postal officials say the deadlines are meant to give customers plenty of time to plan, especially as shipping volumes surge in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

WSB’s Cheryl Castro contributed to this story