CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The busiest time of the year for the U.S. Postal Service starts two weeks before Christmas, when a lot of folks are doing last minute shopping.
The Postal Service expects to process some 800 million packages this holiday season.
But a lot of people are trying to beat the lines, making it their priority to get to the post office.
"Typically I'm one of the ones that's usually late but this year I tried to do it a little bit earlier and just to make sure it gets there on time and that she gets it." Alyson Paris said.
This year some are opting for methods that don't require a trip to the post office, like drop-shipping directly from the retailer or using the USPS Click-N-Ship feature.
This online system allows you to purchase boxes, postage and labels from home and even have it picked up the next day for free.
Meanwhile, some worry boxes delivered to their doorstep might be stolen. That's why they're shipping packages to a local post office or mail service, instead of a home.
"I guess it's more theft, especially around the holidays," Clarissa Charles said, "that's been kind of a big thing so I'd rather have them done here and I can come get them at my convenience."
Whatever shipping method you decide, be sure they're mailed with plenty of time.
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office and domestic addresses*:
- Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code™ 093 only) Priority Mail® and First-Class Mail®
- Dec. 11 — APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail services
- Dec. 14 — USPS Retail Ground service
- Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express® service
- Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
- Dec. 20 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
- Dec. 21 — Priority Mail service
- Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service
For UPS Recommended Last Days to Ship click here.
For the Fed Ex holiday shipping schedule click here.
