Holiday Mail Deadlines Loom - BDN

Holiday mail deadlines loom Vivian Earll, right, of Branson, mails a Christmas present on Wednesday at the Branson Post Office. Assisting Earll is U.S. Postal Service Sales Service Associate Cindy Capelli, left. Sales Service Associate Jim Pugh helps a customer in the background. BDN photo by Wiley Hendrix By Wiley Hendrix BDN Staff Writer whendrix@bransondailynews.com If you want your holiday mail to reach its destination before Christmas Day, get it in the mail soon. That's the advice being offered by U.S. Postal Service officials. "With all holiday shipping, it's a good idea to get it to us as early as possible," said Branson Postmaster Alex Tipton. "The earlier people can get their mail to us, the better the chances of their items reaching their destinations on time. Also, there will be less chance of experiencing long lines at the Post Office." The Postal Service recently released its recommended mailing dates for delivery by Christmas to U.S. military troops serving overseas at American Post Office or Foreign Post Office addresses. According to a Postal Service press release, holiday mail for troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4 for arrival by Christmas. Holiday mail going to other military overseas APO/FPO locations should be sent by Dec. 11. Except for Iraq and Afghanistan, express mail can also be used to mail packages to other overseas military locations until Dec. 18 for delivery by Christmas. "We know how important sending holiday items to troops is," Tipton said. "That's why people need to remember to get their items in the mail before the deadlines." Tipton said that for priority mail, the post office offers to provide packing material and also offers a flat rate packaging for troops overseas. He added that those who want to take advantage of the priority mail services must visit a post office to fill out customs forms. For those people interested in shipping holiday cards and gifts within the United States local post masters simply advise sending them early. "Get your holiday shipping done as early as you can," said Hollister Postmaster Gina Stuart. "You want to give it as much time as possible." Here are the recommended deadlines for shipping within the United States: •Dec. 4 — Parcels. •Dec. 11 — Christmas cards and letters. •Dec. 15 — Priority parcels. •Dec. 17 — Priority Christmas cards and letters. •Dec. 20 — Express mail. For more information, go to usps.com or call (800) ASK-USPS. -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com