It’s not all Santa.
The United States Postal Service lends the jolly old elf a hand each year. In fact, it’s expecting to move 16.1 billion Christmas gifts, cards and letters — an increase of 10 percent compared to last year.
But with Dec. 25 fast approaching, to guarantee presents and messages reach their holiday destinations by the big day, people should keep in mind the deadline is right around the corner.
That deadline is today.
“The big day is (today) — it is the suggested mailing date for First Class and Priority mail and packages from Hawaii to the mainland,” wrote Duke Gonzales, corporate communication specialist for the USPS’ Hawaii operations.
Monday, meanwhile, is the deadline for priority express mail.
What’s the difference?
A 5-pound box sent today to Los Angeles, for example, would cost $21.55. If you wait until Monday, using priority express, that same package would cost $57.55.
The parking lot at the Kailua-Kona Post Office was filled Thursday with a constant interweaving of cars and trucks, with near-collisions between customer vehicles happening by the minute as people rushed to get their mail sent.
The line did shrink and grow by extreme rates, at times extending out the exterior doors before shrinking to four or five people.
The Fazio family was preparing to wrap up their gifts before dropping them in the mail. James bought boxes from the clerks, while Katherine kept their son, Kilian, entertained and watched the gifts.
“We’re getting it all ready,” Katherine Fazio said of preparing the 13 items they purchased on a visit to Bali they planned to ship to loved ones in California.
They do this every year, she said, and have learned the best way to complete their drop-offs is to have all the packing done and labeled before getting to the post office.
USPS also suggests using the service’s website, USPS.com, to pay for and print labels for boxes that can be picked up at a person’s home.
But it wasn’t only the clerks busy Thursday in Kailua-Kona.
The computerized mailing center also saw lines of people, most trying to ship one or two items. The machines are open 24 hours.
But the postal service itself has altered hours for the holidays. It’s business as usual until Thursday, when most post offices will close at noon and most mail is being picked up by that time. The post office also writes that priority mail accepted on that day could take a day longer to arrive. Offices are closed Christmas Day.
Private carriers, including FedEx and UPS, have similar deadlines for their services.
But not all deadlines are set in stone. With a little luck, there might be a little wiggle room.
“If normal holiday conditions prevail, chances are good that letters and packages sent shortly after the suggested dates will still make it to their destinations before Christmas,” the USPS wrote in a press release. “Ultimately, uncontrollable factors such as mailing volumes and weather determine whether deliveries can be made early or on time.”
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.
