By Patch Staff
The U.S. Postal Service is preparing for what it anticipates will be the busiest mailing days of the year on Wednesday and Thursday, and local post office locations are ready, too.
Letters and packages can be mailed via the postal service at:
- Saratoga, 19630 Allendale Ave.
Postal Service officials predict more than 658 million cards, letters and packages will be mailed on that day, compared to 528 million pieces on an average day. The Postal Service expects to deliver 17.9 billion cards, letters and packages during the holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.
According to the USPS website the busiest day for the delivery of holiday mail will be Wednesday, Dec. 19, and Thursday, Dec. 20 for holiday packages when millions of mail and packages will be delivered in time for the holidays to homes across the country.
The Postal Service also reminds customers that Thursday, Dec. 20 is the last recommended day to send First-Class Mail, in order to have it reach its destination by Christmas Eve.
After Dec. 20, the Postal Service recommends using Priority Mail, a two-day service to most of the country, and for the ultimate procrastinator, who has not mailed by Dec. 22, the Postal Service recommends using Express Mail, a guaranteed overnight service.
Express Mail can be mailed as late as Christmas Eve at most Post Offices for guaranteed delivery on Christmas Day.
Post Offices nationwide will be open Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, and New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31. Most Post Offices will shorten retail lobby hours and close at noon on these dates. Regular mail delivery will be unaffected by the change.
Post Offices will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Express Mail only will be delivered on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All Post Offices will be open and regular mail delivery will resume Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
To ensure that your gifts and greetings arrive on time and intact, the Postal Service recommends the following:
- Use complete addresses on your cards, letters and packages, including apartment numbers and suite numbers.
- Use directionals, such as NE and NW and designations such as St., Ave., and Blvd – and always include the ZIP Code. If you’re unsure of the ZIP Code, go to www.usps.com.
- When sending packages, use a sturdy container that is designed for shipping, cushion the contents to prevent movement during transit, include a return address inside the package and seal it, using a tape designed for shipping.
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