Important deadlines are coming for those who procrastinate around the holiday season. Priority mail packages for the U.S. Postal Service must be sent by tomorrow and priority express mail can be sent no later than this Saturday.
U.S. Postal Service Spokesperson Karen Mazurkiewicz is urging people to use their online price calculator at USPS.com. Once there, you can print the postage from your computer using a credit or debit card.
“You print the shipping label. You tape it down to your package and then you already have the postage on it," said Mazurkiewicz. "And then you can even ask your carrier to pick it up. We have free carrier pickups. They actually leave a slip saying that they’ve picked up the package. You don’t even have to leave your house. It’s kind of a best kept secret. It is very popular and many people will do that.”
Carriers will be making make extra runs during the day. Mazurkiewicz said they start first thing in the morning as early as 6 AM and will be working late in to the night.
“Please… leave your lights on. The dogs restrained, because they are going to be at your house at an unusual time. And if it does snow, a clear path to the mailbox. Because we want every carrier to have a safe and healthy holiday as well,” she said.
Mazurkiewicz said the tempo of the holiday season has changed drastically over the years as Christmas used to be a two week event made up of cards and fewer packages.
“With online shopping it is now a two-month peak event. We really start seeing the uptick right after Veterans Day. Then we’ll see with returns and after Christmas sales still hoping until right after the first week in January,” she said.
