If you plan to mail holiday packages to troops deployed overseas, now is the time to prepare.

The U.S. Postal Service's first suggested deadline for mailing packages — by way of Standard Post — is Nov. 7.

The deadlines are the same for all methods of mailing, for all overseas APO, FPO and DPO ZIP codes, with notable exceptions for some mail going to and from the AE ZIP 093, which covers overseas contingency areas.

The following are suggested deadlines to mail your items so they arrive in time for Christmas. To get them there in time for Hanukkah, which starts Dec. 6, subtract 19 days from each deadline.

Standard Post: Nov. 7

Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 25

Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 3

Priority Mail: Dec. 10, except for AE ZIP 093, which is Dec. 3

First-class letters and cards: Dec. 10, except for AE ZIP 093, which is Dec. 3

Priority Mail Express Military Service: Dec. 17. This service is not available to AE ZIP 093; check with your local post office to find out if it's available to another specific APO/FPO/DPO address.

Standard Post generally takes longer than other mailings. Compare the costs; the USPS notes that in some cases, the costs of Priority Mail and Standard Post are similar, while Priority Mail travels faster.

Also, remember that the USPS offers a postage discount of $2 per box on its largest priority mail flat rate box, at $15.90, for mail being sent to APO/FPO/DPO addresses worldwide. There is no cost for the boxes themselves; the cost is for the postage to send the boxes. You can get them at local post offices or online at shop.usps.com.

Karen has covered military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times for more than 30 years, and is co-author of a chapter on media coverage of military families in the book "A Battle Plan for Supporting Military Families." She previously worked for newspapers in Guam, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., and Athens, Ga.

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