Post office expects Monday to be busiest day of year

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

If you're planning to go to the post office on Monday, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to wait in line.

The U.S. Postal Service expects Monday to be the busiest mailing day of the year, with more than 280 million cards and letters, plus millions of packages, being processed. The Monday of the last full week before Christmas traditionally is the busiest mailing day of the year, said Postal Service spokesman Marc Dixon.

As a result, the biggest mail delivery day of the year will be Dec. 17, said Dixon, adding that the postal service is gearing up for the upcoming rush.

"We expect a very busy day Monday, handling all those holiday cards and packages — but that's fine, because we welcome all the holiday mail our customers give us," Dixon said.

The Postal Service reminds gift givers that Dec. 17 is the deadline to mail gifts to arrive in time for Christmas. In-state mail should be sent by Dec. 22.

To help speed the lines at the post office, the Postal Service offered a few packing tips:

• Print complete name and address of sender and recipient on all pieces.

• Use strong boxes with no markings for alcohol, liquor or chemicals.

• Cushion contents with newspaper, bubble wrap or styrofoam, and pack very tightly.

• Remove batteries and pack them separately in the same box.

• Place a return address on a piece of paper inside the package.

• Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking or cellophane tape outside the box. Seal the package with nylon- or glass-reinforced package tape.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.