“Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them for Christmas”

“Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas” is a jocular line that has been printed on many images. The line has been credited to American television talk show host and comedian Johnny Carson (1925-2005) since at least 1989.
 
   
Wikipedia: Johnny Carson
John William “Johnny” Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television talk show host and comedian, best known for his 30 years as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992). Carson received six Emmy Awards, the Governor’s Award, and a 1985 Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987. Johnny Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1993.
 
Google Books
John, Your Name Is Famous:
Highlights, anecdotes & trivia about the name John and the people who made it great
By Alvin Silverstein
Lebanon, NJ: Avstar Pub. Corp.
1989
Pg. 128:
Johnny Carson
American comedian (1925- )
“Mail your packages early, so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.”
   
23 December 1991, Iowa City (IA) Press-Citizen, “Celebrity Cypher,” pg. 6C, col. 1:
PREVIOUS SOLUTION—“Mail your packages early, so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.”—Johnny Carson.
   
Google Books
John, Your Name Is Famous:
Highlights, anecdotes & trivia about the name John and the people who made it great
By Alvin Silverstein
Lebanon, NJ: Avstar Publishing Corporation
1989
Pg. 128:
Johnny Carson
American comedian (1925- )
“Mail your packages early, so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.”
 
Google Books
Jokes Over Easy:
1,386 delicious jokes from the best comedians
By Judy Brown
New York, NY: Barnes & Noble
2006
Pg. 45:
Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas. —JOHNNY CARSON
 
Google Books
A Little Book of Christmas:
An Abundance of Quotes for the Festive Season
By Alicia Brent
Published by author
2014
Pg. ?:
Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.
Johnny Carson
 
Keepinspiring.me
November 29, 2016
99 Funny Christmas Quotes To Keep You Laughing Until The New Year
by Hannah Hutyra
(...)
“Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.” -Johnny Carson