Christmas Mail Deadlines Passing Quickly

SEBRING - Have a gift you want to send out before Christmas? For standard mail, Monday was the deadline, and deadlines are fast approaching for express mail.

Today will be the last day for military express mail. Wednesday is the last possible day for other overseas delivery, and Thursday's the deadline for mail to Canada.

In the United States, you have until Thursday to get your Christmas cards, your letters and your packages sent through Priority Mail, though you could try Express Mail by Saturday to get it there before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Monday was what Avon Park Post Master Minnette Williams called the busiest day of the year for the entire postal service.

Clerks were kept busy through the lunch hour Monday as lines stretched to the doors with people sending off their Christmas gifts. One woman even brought in a sandwich as she waited that afternoon to pick up a package at the Avon Park branch.

Williams suggested that these lines could be dodged if people went on the Post Office's Web page and went through the "Click-n-Ship" to buy their postage online before they hand it off to the clerk. They just need to weigh their packages ahead of time for the right postage.

"You're saving 65 cents (with the included delivery confirmation), not to mention the time in line," she said.

Sue Batterbee found herself placing her boxes on the floor as she waited in line. She had two boxes and a large envelope to ship out to Oklahoma, California and Orlando, but when asked what she was sending, she jokingly said, "my packing!"

Haskell James just made it as he sent a letter to his cousin back in the United Kingdom. "It's just a Christmas card," he said.

Upcoming Deadlines for Christmas Delivery
U.S.
Letters and Cards - Dec. 20
Priority Mail (2 to 3-day delivery) Dec. 20
Express Mail - Dec. 22

Military Express Mail - Today

International "Global Express Guaranteed" Mail - Dec. 19
Canadian "Global Express Guaranteed" Mail - Dec. 20

For a complete calendar and for more information, visit http://www.usps.com/