Politics & Government

Post Office: Busiest Mailing Day Expected on Monday, Dec. 17

Busiest delivery day is expected on Wednesday, Dec. 19, postal officials said.

 

Planning on mailing Christmas cards, or holiday packages?

The U.S. Post Office predicts Monday, Dec. 17, will be its busiest mailing day, and Wednesday, Dec. 19, the busiest delivery day.

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You can attempt to avoid the long lines by dropping those cards, letters and packages off Friday or Saturday at the post office, or take advantage of the Automated Postal Center at the Crystal Lake Post Office, 301 E. Congress Parkway.

Stop by the Crystal Lake Post Office from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. when postal representatives will demonstrate "how easy it is" to ship, or mail letters and packages with the APC located in the lobby, according to a press release issued by Sean Hargadon, of the U.S. Post Office. 

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“We know this is a busy time of year for our customers,” said Crystal Lake Postmaster Nancy Slavik. “That’s why we’re here to help make their holiday mailing and shipping easy.”

Using the APC is similiar to using an ATM.

The machine accepts credit or debit cards and can process 80 percent of retail counter transactions – like buying stamps, weighing packages and buying postage for Express and Priority Mail shipments, and First-Class and Parcel Post mailings, Hargadon said.

For added convenience, customers are also encouraged to use the Postal Service’s website, usps.com, where they can ship packages from the comfort and convenience of their home, or office.

With a computer and Internet access to usps.com, there’s a post office at your fingertips — one that’s open 24/7, 365 days a year. The Postal Service even offers free package pickup from your address the next business day.  The Postal Service expects to deliver more than 15 billion cards, letters and packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas this holiday season, Hargadon said in the release.

The Postal Service also will see a dramatic increase in traffic to its website, usps.com. Visits to the website are expected to reach 37 million during the holidays.   Recommended mail-by dates:

  • Dec. 14 – Parcel Post
  • Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed
  • Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail
  • Dec. 21 – Priority Mail
  • Dec. 22 – Express Mail

For more information about Postal Service products and services, visit www.usps.com.  Customers can visit the Postal Service Holiday Blog at www.uspsblog.com for additional holiday mailing and shipping tips, and get the best advice from resident holiday experts for sending holiday cards, letters and packages this holiday season.

 


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