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Postal Service sets Christmas deadlines
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McMinnville postmaster Brent Nunley is urging people to think ahead and send Christmas cards and gifts early to make sure they arrive on time. - photo by Lisa Hobbs

The U.S. Postal Service has set deadlines in order to handle the onslaught of mail and packages that need to be delivered by Christmas. 

McMinnville postmaster Brent Nunley said the Christmas rush in McMinnville reflects a nationwide increase in volume that is almost mind-boggling. 

Nunley noted the entire Postal Service is projecting it will deliver 15 billion cards, letters, flats and packages during the 2019 holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, the entire Postal Service is projecting it will deliver 900 million packages.

The 45 employees at McMinnville’s post office will work extra hours to meet local demand, including carriers who will deliver the increased volume. A main challenge is serving the people who flock to the post office to mail their cards and packages.

Nunley said Dec. 17 is traditionally the busiest day at the post office. The post office will process an estimated 607 million packages that day alone. There will be an estimated 6 million people who visit post offices around the country that day.

“We will do our best to keep the lines moving,” Nunley said. “Rest assured, our staff will be serving the public as quickly as possible.”

Due to heavy volume, Nunley suggests customers get their packages to the post office as early as possible to guarantee delivery by Christmas.

For military shipping to soldiers abroad, priority mail should be in by Dec. 11 for priority mail and first-class mail, or Dec. 18 for priority mail express. International mail also has deadlines for guaranteed delivery. Recommended domestic shipping deadlines are: Dec. 14 for retail ground, Dec. 20 for first-class mail, Dec. 21 for priority mail, and Dec. 23 for priority mail express.

As for shipping gifts and other Christmas items, Nunley suggests double checking the package before shipping and importantly, to double check the address on the package to ensure it is accurate.  When in doubt, use priority mail. Priority mail express shipping is the way to go for last-minute gifts to ensure they arrive by Christmas.