The U.S. Postal Service has issued guidance to shoppers, gifters, and even those sending letters to Santa Claus.
USPS recommended in a news release that shippers order or send packages by Dec. 14 to get them to their destination by Christmas Day using USPS Retail Ground service. Gifters or people sending Christmas cards should mail them using First Class Mail by Dec. 19.
First class packages should be mailed by Dec. 16, while Priority Mail Express items can be mailed as late as Dec. 22.
Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, USPS will deliver more than 15 billion pieces of mail this holiday season, as well as more than 850 million packages, an increase of 10 percent over the same period last year.
Jefferson City's post offices, like others across the country, will deliver packages on Sundays. USPS anticipates more than 6 million packages will be delivered this year just on Sundays.
"The Jefferson City Post Office is well prepared to meet our customers' needs during the holiday season, especially as demand for package deliveries continues to grow," Jefferson City Postmaster Krystal Drone said. "We take great pride in our holiday readiness and preparation, and in our ability to offer reliable, predictable and affordable service throughout the Jefferson City community."
USPS said shipping traffic increases start Dec. 11 and continue through Christmas. The Postal Service expects to deliver 3 billion pieces of First Class Mail and 200 million packages from Dec. 18-24.