Heads up guys – it is definitely time to start thinking and preparing to send your Christmas parcels and cards as soon as possible.

The cut off times for Australia Post in News South Wales is if you are sending it within the state, it is December 20. If the package is going to WA, it is December 18, Tasmania December 19 and Northern Territory December 16.

For more rural areas it would be wise to get in even earlier, to save disappointment.

If you're sending a Christmas card within Australia, the postage cost is 65 cents during November and December.

You can get this discount price provided the envelope is endorsed with "Card only", is no larger than 130mm x 240mm, no thicker than 5mm and no heavier than 250g.

If you're sending a Christmas card overseas, the postage cost is $3 anywhere in the world.

You can get this discount provided the envelope is endorsed with "Card only" and must be no larger than 260mm x 360mm, on thicker than 5mm and no heavier than 50g.

Parcels up to 5kg are eligible for flat-rate postage options to anywhere within Australia.

If you're using your own packaging, parcels are charged according to their actual weight or cubic weight equivalent, whichever is greater.

Prices for parcels up to 5kg range from $10.95 for small Parcel Post, to $31.35 for extra-large Express Post.

Australia Post does not typically deliver on weekends but they do offer weekend deliveries during the Christmas period.

This was only introduced last month and is only available in some metro and regional areas, so best not to count on that service either.