Santa does not deliver mail, just toys, so for those who need to get packages or letters sent before Christmas, deadlines are approaching.

The U.S. Postal Service website states the deadline for all Standard Postal Service is Dec. 15. If one does not want to pay extra postage for Christmas cards, that leaves 23 days.

Other deadlines to mail are Dec. 19 for first-class mail, Dec. 21 for Priority Mail Service and Dec. 23 for Priority Mail Express Service.

If you plan to mail holiday packages overseas the deadline for standard shipping has already passed, but the following dates are suggested to get packages there on time.

The Space Available Mail (SAM) deadline is Wednesday, Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) is Dec. 3 priority mail is Dec. 10 and first-class letters and cards is Dec. 10.

The Priority Mail Express Military Service deadline is Dec. 17.

The Vicksburg Post Office is located at 3415 Pemberton Square Blvd. and hours for operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Local UPS store clerk, Deborah Brooks, said all ground packages mailed through their facility must be sent out a week ahead of its scheduled delivery.

“Correct addresses, zip codes and names,” Brooks said, will help make sure the package arrives on time.

Deadlines offered through the UPS store for mailing packages at the last minute are Dec. 18 for 3-day select, Dec. 21 and 22 for 2nd Day Air and Dec. 23 for Next-Day Air Service.

There are some items not allowed for shipping, Brooks said.

“You cannot send batteries, firearms, liquids, nothing hazardous or alcohol,” she said.

The local UPS store is located at 3412 Pemberton Square Blvd. #2 and the hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 601-634-8020.

For more information on holiday shipping and tracking through the U.S. Postal service, visit usps.com/holiday.