CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - As we head into the holiday season, it's important to know your shipping deadlines to make sure your holiday gifts and cards get to their destinations on time. IRS issues warning about popular holiday schemes The USPS says the earlier you send your items, the better. For shipping within the United States, not including Alaska and Hawaii, they say to send your USPS Ground and First-class mail by December 18th. If you plan to use priority mail services, that should be sent by December 19th, and priority mail express mail should be sent by December 21. Shipping deadlines for international mail vary by country, but mail going to Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Asia, should be sent by December 9th. One Ludlow resident told 22News how he plans on getting his mail out as we head deeper into December. "Get it done early. It's one of those things that happens every year deal with it," said Phillip Meyers. The last day to ship your UPS three-day select package to arrive by December 24, whether it's an online order or you're sending a gift is December 19. For a FedEx ground economy package, it's December 13th, so look into each one to make sure you are choosing the right one for what you're shipping and where it's going. Local News Headlines Police chase in New Hampshire leads to arrest of Massachusetts man Freedom Credit Union collecting funds for those in need this holiday season Shipping deadlines to know ahead of the holiday season Police looking for owner of abandoned dog found in park WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.