Mail

Mailing Packages – the sooner you mail packages the less money you will have to pay because you can use the longer shipping methods. 

If you have items to mail that you have not purchased yet consider buying small light weight gifts such as cd's, jewelry, magazine subscriptions, etc. allowing you to fit items into flat rate mailing envelopes.

One thing to keep in mind is that the overnight (which to some locations is 2 days) guaranteed from the post office will be delivered on the weekends – including Sunday's – and also on Christmas day.  It costs a little more but they do deliver it!

Consider also condensing gifts into one box if multiple people are going to one location during the holidays.  For example – you and your siblings all go to your parent's home sometime during the holiday season (but maybe not at the same time), send all the gifts to your parent's home instead of to each individual family's house.  This will save you time and money on shipping!