Mail Call: Post Office Survival Guide

The term "going postal" may not be politically correct, but like many terms it has been adopted into our vocabulary as a colorful way of saying, "I'm freaking out, man!" The holiday season brings peace, love and at times, barely restrained chaos.

Maureen Marion, a public affairs specialist for the United States Postal Service, confirmed they are doing everything they can to make things easy and affordable for their customers this season, providing so many online options you may not need to step into the post office this year.  

You can now print out postage online, order free flat rate boxes to ship holiday gifts, or schedule packages to be picked up at your door.  

Marion says although postal workers' bags are much heavier this time of year, they deliver your mail with a smile, knowing they are carrying a card from a friend or a gift from a loved one, not just a bill or a summons for jury duty. 

The postal service is working hard to stay up to date and expedite the mailing process, but Marion asks us to remember a few things when packing up parcels this year:

1. When wrapping up that priceless picture for grandma of your little "toothless wonder," Marion suggests adding a gift certificate for a frame instead of mailing one because there is really no such thing as fragile when it comes to shipping. 
2. Buying insurance is a good idea. It's not a matter of mail getting lost, but more likely damaged by other careless customers. For example, the time Marion was asked to investigate an unknown substance that had leaked from a box destroying others around it.  "We didn't know what it was and it looked so much like blood that we called in the authorities," she said. They later discovered it to be frozen orange juice. It would be a shame to trust the judgment of others and risk getting no compensation for potential damage. 
3. Making envelopes legible is more important than making them pretty. The USPS now has a computerized system to read and sort mail, making the process infinitely quicker. If the address is too decorative or doesn't contrast enough from the envelope it can't be read and will be diverted to hand sorting, possibly delaying its arrival. 
4. Send it early. Santa has Rudolf to guide him through the snow, but unpredictable weather is the biggest contributor to delayed deliveries in the postal world. 

Bring a new meaning to the term "going postal" this year.  Let the USPS help you reach across the miles and bring a smile to the loved ones you hold dear. Hop on over to USPS.com and see what you can knock off your holiday list right from home.