Halloween doesn't come for another week.
But the U.S. Postal Service already is reminding Americans that Christmas mailing and shipping deadlines for overseas destinations are approaching quickly.
The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military destinations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 12.
"Shipping holiday packages early helps ensure that they arrive in time for the holidays," said Loretta Tolliver, customer relations manager for the Postal Service's St. Louis-based Gateway District.
"They are a great morale boost for those men and women serving their country in places far from home."
In a news release, the Postal Service noted: "Ensuring care packages arrive in time for the holiday season is a priority for friends and family members of military personnel serving around the world.
"To help get packages on their way, the U.S. Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate Box."
The USPS reminds customers that mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices.
The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $14.50.
But for packages to APO/FPO addresses, which are identified as being in the United States but deliver to overseas locations, the price is reduced to $12.50.
Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship, the service said in its news release.
The USPS also announced the deadlines for holiday cards and other packages, with a variety of dates depending on the type of mail being sent.
For items going to APO/FPO addresses with USPS ZIP Code 093, Parcel Post should be mailed by Nov. 12; Space Available Mail by Nov. 20; Parcel Airlift Mail, Dec. 1; Priority Mail and First-Class Mail and Cards, Dec. 4.
For items going to APO/FPO addresses with USPS ZIP Codes 090-092, 094-098, 340 and 962-966: Parcel Post should be mailed by Nov. 12; Space Available Mail by Nov. 26; Parcel Airlift Mail, Dec. 3; Priority Mail and First-Class Mail and Cards, Dec. 10; and, for some (but not all) addresses, Express Mail Military Service by Dec. 18.
The Postal Service news release noted that mail addressed to military Post Offices overseas "is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms."