Shoppers across Louisiana from New Orleans to Shreveport and Vidalia down to Lake Charles are now getting into the holiday groove. The first week of December is a very important week for shoppers who have presents and parcels that need to be shipped out of town.

Jennifer C, Flickr
Jennifer C, Flickr
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Granted, there is still plenty of time for those who want to pay lower shipping rates to do so and still feel confident that their treasures will arrived at their loved one's door well before Christmas. In fact, the United States Postal Service is suggesting December 16th be your cut off date when it comes to making sure your items arrive by December 25th. Here are the current suggested shipping deadlines. 

Nathan Lemon via Unsplash.com
Nathan Lemon via Unsplash.com
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Now, that doesn't mean you can't pay an extra fee or choose another service that would expedite your shipping. The Post Office says for Priority Mail customers you can extend that deadline to December 20th. Of course, there are plenty of companies that can and will ship your items overnight ad many will deliver items on Christmas Day. 

And if you're like the majority of us, you're probably going to use a "used" box to ship your items, aren't you? Well, the Postal Service does have some suggestions and downright rules regarding those used boxes. And, if you're going to be addressing those boxes using a Sharpie or felt-tip marker, you really need to know about the "ink requirement" that goes along with shipping items too.

Aaron Burden via Unsplash.com
Aaron Burden via Unsplash.com
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Now, about the items you want to mail. You've probably noticed the postal clerk always asks certain questions when you bring in a package to be mailed. They ask if you have certain items or kinds of items, the value of those items, and usually a few other general questions. What they are trying to find out is if the items you are mailing are prohibited by postal service regulations.

Nadine Shaab via Unsplash.com
Nadine Shaab via Unsplash.com
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And yes, there are items you simply can't put in the mail even though it might seem like you should be able to do so. Of course illegal items, substances, and materials that break the law are not welcome in the postal system but there are six very legal items that the Postal Service will not allow you to ship.

6 Items the Post Office Won't Allow You to Ship

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