Dec 7, 2016 4 min read

Santa Claus isn’t the only one delivering gifts this holiday season.

The U.S. Postal Service will process approximately 16 billion letters, cards and packages nationally between Thanksgiving and Christmas and about 750 million of those deliveries will be packages, according to Tad Kelley, spokesman for the Western Pennsylvania district.

Since the Postal Service doesn’t have the benefit of flying reindeer and a workshop of elves, Kelley said the USPS has brought in an additional 25,000 employees nationwide, with 700 at the Pittsburgh processing and distribution center, to take care of holiday deliveries.

But despite the added support, Kelley notes post offices will be very busy and deadlines for delivery by Christmas Day are approaching.

“Christmas is not that far down the road,” Kelley said. “People are going out this week, and they need to know what they need to do to get it there on Christmas Day.”

The earliest deadline for Christmas delivery is for those on active military duty. The last day for guaranteed delivery via Priority Mail is Friday.

For shipping greeting cards and letters via first-class delivery, the deadline is Dec. 20. The post office also has a wide variety of contemporary and religious stamps to give your envelope extra holiday cheer.

However, Kelley stresses that gifts within greeting cards should not include cash and recommends gift cards, money orders or other methods.

For sending packages with USPS ground delivery, which Kelley notes is the “most economical service,” the deadline is Dec. 15. If you miss that deadline, domestic Priority Mail shipments can be mailed out as late as Dec. 21.

“Priority Mail gives you two- to three-day service anywhere in the country,” Kelley said, noting that flat-rate boxes are provided for free at post offices, can ship up to 70 pounds of material and include $50 worth of insurance. The boxes also feature festive holiday print and can be tracked online.

Priority Mail shipping supplies also can be ordered at www.usps.com and be delivered free of charge.

But for any extreme procrastinators, the USPS overnight delivery service, Priority Mail Express, can be used as late as Dec. 23 for items to arrive on Christmas Day.

While the deadlines help postal employees get packages delivered on time for the holidays, Kelley also stressed improper packing can lead to delays. He suggests using a sturdy box and to not use any boxes that were previously used to store chemicals.

“The chemical markings on the box could hold up the delivery,” Kelley explained. “Cross out any indications if using those boxes.”

When shipping toys that are battery-operated, Kelley recommends removing the batteries and packing them separately in the box to avoid the toy turning on while in transit. Kelley explained postal employees investigating the movement in the package would delay shipping.

For protecting fragile items while in transit, Kelley said to use good packing material and to remove glass from framed photographs and wrap it separately to prevent damage.

Another tip for ensuring prompt delivery is to make sure the “to” and “from” addresses are written legibly on the outside.

“Don’t guess on street directions or ZIP codes,” Kelley said, noting that ZIP codes can be looked up at the USPS website.

Kelley also recommends including a note card with the addresses on the inside of the box so delivery can be resumed if outside labels become damaged.

And while recent changes to Pennsylvania alcohol laws allow residents to receive wine in the mail, that doesn’t mean you can send champagne to toast distant friends and family this holiday season.

“Right now, it’s only commercial vendors, and it’s all evolving right in front of us,” Kelley said. “We’re working with agencies to see what can be done, but right now, it’s a commercial thing.”

Representatives from Santa’s Workshop did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment on home wine delivery.