If your missionary is serving outside the U.S., mail their Christmas package by Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026. That's USPS's last recommended date for Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International. Inside the contiguous U.S., the deadlines are Thursday, Dec. 17 for Ground Advantage and Friday, Dec. 18 for Priority Mail. Both are latest dates, so mail earlier, especially overseas.
The deadlines are from USPS's 2026 holiday shipping page, and the MTC details from the MTC's Information Desk page, both read Nov. 10, 2026. Mission rules vary, so check with your missionary or the mission office before you ship anything.
USPS Christmas 2026 mailing deadlines
| Where it's going | Service | Mail by |
|---|---|---|
| Outside the U.S. (every region) | Priority Mail International, First-Class Package International | Wed., Dec. 9 |
| Outside the U.S. | Priority Mail Express International | Wed., Dec. 16 |
| Contiguous U.S. | Ground Advantage, First-Class Mail | Thu., Dec. 17 |
| Contiguous U.S. | Priority Mail | Fri., Dec. 18 |
| Contiguous U.S. | Priority Mail Express | Sat., Dec. 19 |
| Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico | Priority Mail | Fri., Dec. 18 |
| Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico | Ground Advantage | No fixed date; 10 days or more, check the estimate |
| Military (APO, FPO, DPO) | Priority Mail, First-Class Mail | Wed., Dec. 9 |
Military Ground Advantage closed Nov. 4.
Where to send it
- In the United States, packages usually go to the mission office.
- In foreign missions, they usually go to the mission home, and mail service outside the U.S. "is not always timely or reliable," LDS Living's guide to writing missionaries notes.
- The Provo MTC says a missionary's MTC address may be shared only by the missionary, who gets it by email before arriving. If your missionary is at the MTC over Christmas, ask them for it. Questions go to the MTC Information Desk at MTC-FrontDesk@ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
- Customs: shipping abroad means filling out a customs form. The MTC's own mail room, for packages missionaries send, says customs requires an itemized list of all items, and a full name, address and phone number for the person receiving it.
For more on the MTC, see our MTC visitor guide.
Gift ideas that travel well
The best missionary gifts are light, useful and hard to break. Nothing valuable, nothing that spoils: LDS Living's guide warns that valuables may be stolen and cookies may get moldy. Here's what tends to work, with links to compare options on Amazon.
For long days of walking or biking
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Thermal base layers Provo.com earns a commission if you buy through this link. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect what we recommend. How we handle this. Touchscreen gloves Provo.com earns a commission if you buy through this link. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect what we recommend. How we handle this. Rechargeable hand warmers Provo.com earns a commission if you buy through this link. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect what we recommend. How we handle this.For the apartment
Small travel sewing kit Provo.com earns a commission if you buy through this link. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect what we recommend. How we handle this. Tie clips and ties Provo.com earns a commission if you buy through this link. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect what we recommend. How we handle this. Packing cubes Provo.com earns a commission if you buy through this link. It costs you nothing extra and does not affect what we recommend. How we handle this.Things that cost almost nothing to ship
- Letters and photos from home. Print a few recent family photos; they weigh nothing and get kept for years.
- Notes from the ward. Pass a card around on Sunday.
- Copies of favorite talks or scriptures with a handwritten note.
Before you buy clothing, ask about the mission's dress standards and climate, and before you send anything electronic, ask what's allowed in that mission.
Tips for packing
- Pack light and flat. International postage climbs fast with weight.
- Skip anything fragile or perishable.
- Keep the receipt and tracking number in case it goes missing.
- Write a list of contents first. You'll need it for the customs form.
Related guides
- MTC visitor guide
- Missionary farewells and homecomings
- A missionary family's MTC weekend in Provo
- Local makers gift guide
- Black Friday 2026 in Utah County
- Gifts for BYU fans 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I mail a Christmas package to a missionary in 2026?
Where do I send a package to a missionary?
Can I send a package to a missionary at the Provo MTC?
What is the deadline to mail to Alaska or Hawaii for Christmas 2026?
What should I not send a missionary?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- 2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines, U.S. Postal Service. Checked November 10, 2026.
- Information Desk, Provo Missionary Training Center. Checked November 10, 2026.
- 4 Ways to Write a Missionary, LDS Living. Checked November 10, 2026.
