Monday is the busiest mailing day of the holiday season
(WWBT) - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the post office. Monday is the busiest mailing day as the postal service works to get more than 15 billion cards, letters and packages where they need to go.
There were mounds of boxes, nimble fingers and tons of concentration at Richmond's main post office on Brook Road. While it may not feel like outside, the countdown to Christmas, and everything that goes with it, is on.
"About 150," says Vicky Lazenby, showing a bag full of Christmas cards.
Whether it's hundreds of cards or boxes of presents, "Every year, I send out Christmas presents. I don't care what time. I just send them," says customer Bob Wald rop.
The US Postal Service says people wanting to make sure their Christmas goodies arrive on time, make Monday the busiest mailing and shipping day of the year. "I'm always early, always," says customer Sherleen Crewe, who says it's a matter of pride. "I just like sending cards. I love receiving cards. I love sending cards," she says.
Ann Wiggins says it's a way to span the miles and let friends and loved ones know she cares. "It's just sending out good joy and letting everybody know I'm thinking about them," she says, which is making what the employees do, that much more important.
Monday, Dec. 21 is the busiest delivery day for holiday mail and packages, and the Postal Service isn't the only place where time is ticking.
Here are the published deadlines from the major shipping services:
Tuesday, Dec. 15 is the last day the USPS recommends you use standard shipping if you want delivery on time. Saturday, Dec. 19 is the last day for First Class mail. Monday, Dec. 21 is the last day for Priority Mail, and Wednesday, Dec. 23 is the last day for Priority Mail Express.
Friday, Dec. 18 is the last day to ship UPS 3 Day Select if you want packages to be delivered before Christmas Day. Tuesday, Dec. 22 is the last day for Two Day Air. Wednesday, Dec. 23 is the deadline for overnight packages to arrive on Christmas Eve.
Wednesday, Dec. 16 is the last day to ship FedEx Ground if you want delivery by Christmas Day. Monday, Dec. 21 is the deadline for Express Saver, and Tuesday, Dec. 22 is the deadline for Two Day Air. Wednesday, Dec. 23 is the last day to send overnight packages for arrival on Christmas Eve.
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