Communities
Related Photos
HOLIDAY: Time is running out for mailing holiday items
There are a lot of gifts at Christmas, but time isn’t one of them.
As Dec. 25 approaches, some may be scrambling to get their packages, gifts and cards postmarked in time for the holidays. With less than two weeks remaining, the U.S. Postal Service has some advice for those with holiday mailing concerns.
First of all, the Postal Service recommends some “mail-by” dates to ensure a gift arrives on time for Christmas. For parcel post items, or ground service, packages should be mailed by Wednesday to ensure on-time delivery. All first-class and Priority Mail items should be in by Dec. 21. And for the procrastinators, Overnight Express Mail packages should be in by Dec. 23. Any packages going to military bases overseas should be sent immediately.
Some post offices offer a convenient option. Certain locations, such as the Lockport Branch on East Avenue, have automated postal centers that are available anytime.
“Automated postal centers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Postal Service spokeswoman Karen Mazurkiewicz said.
Holiday stamps can be purchased at a post office, or at some grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies and banks. People can also call 1-800-ASK USPS or visit usps.com and have holiday stamps ordered. Also on the Web site, people can find shipping deals that can save as much as 11 percent over retail post office prices. There’s also free carrier pickup and delivery confirmation.
As for packaging, Eric DeLac, owner of The UPS Store on South Transit Road in the Town of Lockport, advised that people should place an extra address label with the delivery and return address inside the package. This will ensure the delivery or safe return of an item that could not be delivered, should the outside label become damaged or fall off. There should also be a list of contents in each package.
Other tips include making sure packages can withstand processing without the contents or packaging breaking. Cushion items with bubble wrap, newspaper, or “foam peanuts” so items do not shift during transit. Wrap each item separately when packing more than one item in the same box. Batteries from electronic devices should be removed and wrapped separately.
Close and shake the box to see if there is enough cushioning. If items are shifting, add more cushioning. Fragile packages should be encased in at least 2 inches of Styrofoam and should be marked in large print on the outside of the package, as should perishable items. Boxes that are used should have any previous markings covered.
If there is any concern, have the item professionally packaged, DeLac said. At this time of year, places like The UPS Store see and package all kinds of items.
“Pies, cookies, we send out hams,” DeLac said. “We always have other ways of packaging.”
Monday should be especially busy at every post office. On average, the U.S. Postal Service handles about 839 million pieces of mail on Dec. 14, making the date the busiest mailing day of the year according to the service’s Web site. The Postal Service said it expects to handle about 16.6 billion pieces of mail from Thanksgiving until Christmas.
DeLac said while business has picked up recently, the upcoming week is when The UPS Store gets flooded with customers. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be the busiest, DeLac said.
“It picks up by the day,” he said. “We expect business to be really flying.”
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
- Communities
-
-
TOWN OF LOCKPORT: Pair of birthday kids give gifts to less fortunate
Will Rahill and Clare Casalinuovo got nothing for their birthdays. That’s because the 6-year-olds decided to give some gifts of their own to those less fortunate
-
SCHOOLS: Starpoint Invent-A-Thon encourages ingenuity
Starpoint Intermediate School’s annual Invent-A-Thon encourages ingenuity while helping students find solutions to real world problems.
-
COMMUNITIES: United Way prepares for next chapter
The Eastern Niagara United Way is looking to the future after taking a moment Thursday to remember the past, included recognizing individuals for their contributions in 200
-
LOCAL WEATHER: Folks break out, enjoy advance of spring
Lockportians got the jump on spring Wednesday, walking, biking, jogging and taking a picnic break as the afternoon temperature pushed towards 50 degrees.
-
LOCKPORT SCHOOLS: DeWitt Clinton targeted for closing; John Pound, for reuse
DeWitt Clinton and John Pound elementary schools could have their bells ring for the final time in June, as the schools are in serious jeopardy of closing this fall.
-
LOCKPORT: District to announce school closing, 're-purposing' today
A big crowd is expected at the Lockport Board of Education meeting tonight, where it is expected that Superintendent Terry Ann Carbone will announce the closing of an elementary school and the re-purposing of another.
-
COMMUNITIES: Safety-Net Team extends helping hand
The Mobile Safety-Net Team kicked off its first Community Resource Event in Lockport on Monday at St. John’s Outreach Center to help those in need during a tough economic time.
-
POLICE: Sheriff's department changes transmissions to plain English
The Niagara County Sheriff's Department has changed it's scanner transmissions from code to plain English as of this month.
-
SCHOOLS: Area districts provide help to keep kids in school
When it comes to keeping kids on track for that diploma, local high schools keep an eye out for the students who may need some help. And there are a variety of ways schools provide that help as soon as possible.
- CITY OF LOCKPORT: Lockport Ice Arena is not on ice, backers say The search for a “lead” donor is still on by supporters of Lockport Ice Arena & Sports Center.
- More Communities Headlines
-
