Customers send last-minute gifts on busiest shipping day of year

JACKSON, Tenn. — Get those holiday packages in the mail. The United States Postal Service said it expected Monday to be the busiest shipping day of the year.

Customers shipped last-minute gifts Monday at the post office in downtown Jackson. “Everybody’s trying to get that last gift out,” USPS mail clerk Tiaye Owens said. “They want to get it out to them before Christmas.”

Patsy Estes was sick last week and couldn’t make it out until Monday. “I have a son in Florida,” Estes said. “I’m trying to get a few gifts to him in time for Christmas.”

Owens said they are fully staffed. “We have been having a steady line in so far,” he said. “Opened up this morning, maybe had 10 people in line.”

Customers told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News there was little or no wait Monday. “The staff here was wonderful, friendly and greeted me and got me my stamps real quick,” Matt West, of Jackson, said.

To make sure your gifts arrive by Christmas, the Postal Service said first-class mail must be sent by Tuesday, Dec. 20, priority mail must be sent by Wednesday, Dec. 21, and priority mail express must be sent by Friday, Dec. 23.

Estes arrived early Monday to beat the crowd. “Right now it’s not busy, and that’s good,” she said.

The U.S. Postal Service expects to deliver about 750 million packages this holiday season, up 12 percent from last year. The Postal Service expects Thursday, Dec. 22, to be the busiest delivery day with nearly 30 million packages delivered that day alone.