Cards sent later than today are likely to arrive after Christmas, unless the normal letter postage of 80 cents is attached. In that case postage is recommended by Friday Dec. 19.
In order to ease the job of postal workers, larger numbers of cards for domestic delivery can be placed in special red envelopes available at post offices.
Tuesday is the last day to send cards and letters for delivery before Christmas within Europe. Packages with the Nordic and Baltic area should also be posted by Tuesday or Wednesday for delivery in time.
Three special Christmas stamps are available, including the world's first transparent stamp, which features a blue snowflake. Others may choose to send holiday greetings with a stamp issued last week to honour former president Martti Ahtisaari's Nobel Peace Prize.
