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Despite warm weather and sunshine outside, it’s time to begin thinking about mailing holiday packages, cards and other items. For those wishing to ship items to military men and women, it’s especially important to think early, as deadlines for many U.S. Postal Service services are approaching.
The mailing deadline for Parcel Post packages, the most economical postage, is Nov. 13 to ensure arrival at overseas military installations by Christmas. First-class letters and cards have to be sent by Dec. 4 or Dec. 11, depending on the APO/FPO address. For more information on deadlines, see the chart.
The USPS offers free military care kits designed for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by calling (800) 610-8734 and asking for a care kit, which includes six Priority Mail flat-rate boxes, two large and four medium; six Priority Mail labels; one roll of Priority Mail tape; and six customs forms with envelopes. Flat-rate boxes are available free at any post office.
Priority Mail large flat-rate boxes postage is reduced for APO/FPO addresses overseas. For more information about mailing to military destinations, visit usps.com/SupportingOurTroops.
But even if not shipping overseas, it’s not too early to start thinking about holiday mailings. Linda Brooks, postmaster for North Newton, said the heaviest days for receiving mail will be Dec. 7 and 14 (Mondays), and the heaviest delivering days will be Dec. 9 and 16 (Wednesdays). While the fourth Wednesday is Dec. 23, she said the bulk of items will have come in by then.
She said most people mail items by the second or third week of December, which she said is a “very good thing to do.”
“Always mail as soon as you can to allow for any kind of weather issues or volume issues,” she said.
There are some last minute options, though. In some locations, Express Mail will be delivered even on Christmas. Brooks said for certain it can be delivered on Christmas Eve, and in certain locations on Christmas Day. However, she said decisions as to where it will be delivered on Christmas come from the USPS at the last minute.
To dress up holiday cards and newsletters, holiday stamps are available from the postal service, including a set of four “Winter Holiday” stamps, the mother and child stamp, a Kwanzaa stamp, a Hannukuh stamp and an Eid (Muslim holiday) stamp.
Brooks offered a few tips for those preparing Christmas packages. When packaging items, Brooks cautions users to pick sturdy packaging. After all, the weight limit for packages is 70 pounds — which means any package mailed could have a 70-pound package fall on it. Flimsy shirt boxes and similar packaging won’t hold up.
Packages should be well-taped, not with regular adhesive tape, but with packing tape. If an item is fragile, Brooks said bubble wrap or peanuts are necessary. Packages should be brought to the post office prepared, taped and labeled.
For more information on U.S. Postal Service services, visit www.usps.gov.
Despite warm weather and sunshine outside, it’s time to begin thinking about mailing holiday packages, cards and other items. For those wishing to ship items to military men and women, it’s especially important to think early, as deadlines for many U.S. Postal Service services are approaching.
The mailing deadline for Parcel Post packages, the most economical postage, is Nov. 13 to ensure arrival at overseas military installations by Christmas. First-class letters and cards have to be sent by Dec. 4 or Dec. 11, depending on the APO/FPO address. For more information on deadlines, see the chart.The USPS offers free military care kits designed for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by calling (800) 610-8734 and asking for a care kit, which includes six Priority Mail flat-rate boxes, two large and four medium; six Priority Mail labels; one roll of Priority Mail tape; and six customs forms with envelopes. Flat-rate boxes are available free at any post office.Priority Mail large flat-rate boxes postage is reduced for APO/FPO addresses overseas. For more information about mailing to military destinations, visit usps.com/SupportingOurTroops.But even if not shipping overseas, it’s not too early to start thinking about holiday mailings. Linda Brooks, postmaster for North Newton, said the heaviest days for receiving mail will be Dec. 7 and 14 (Mondays), and the heaviest delivering days will be Dec. 9 and 16 (Wednesdays). While the fourth Wednesday is Dec. 23, she said the bulk of items will have come in by then. She said most people mail items by the second or third week of December, which she said is a “very good thing to do.”“Always mail as soon as you can to allow for any kind of weather issues or volume issues,” she said.There are some last minute options, though. In some locations, Express Mail will be delivered even on Christmas. Brooks said for certain it can be delivered on Christmas Eve, and in certain locations on Christmas Day. However, she said decisions as to where it will be delivered on Christmas come from the USPS at the last minute.To dress up holiday cards and newsletters, holiday stamps are available from the postal service, including a set of four “Winter Holiday” stamps, the mother and child stamp, a Kwanzaa stamp, a Hannukuh stamp and an Eid (Muslim holiday) stamp. Brooks offered a few tips for those preparing Christmas packages. When packaging items, Brooks cautions users to pick sturdy packaging. After all, the weight limit for packages is 70 pounds — which means any package mailed could have a 70-pound package fall on it. Flimsy shirt boxes and similar packaging won’t hold up.Packages should be well-taped, not with regular adhesive tape, but with packing tape. If an item is fragile, Brooks said bubble wrap or peanuts are necessary. Packages should be brought to the post office prepared, taped and labeled.For more information on U.S. Postal Service services, visit www.usps.gov.
