Politics & Government
Holiday Procrastinators, There's Still Hope, says Olympia Fields Postmaster
You'll pay more, but there's still time to get that gift card to your Aunt Mary.
Did you procrastinate on mailing that Christmas or Hanukkah gift? Believe it or not, there's still time to get it there but you're going to pay more, says Olympia Fields Postmaster Steven Laya.
At this point, the best option to get that gift card to your Aunt Mary is to go with a flat-rate, overnight delivery envelope for $18.30, Laya said.
For bigger holiday presents, USPS flat rate options may be available, or you may be stuck paying the going rate, which is based upon weight and delivery distance.
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Despite some news reports that the postal service is experiencing its heaviest volume of the year, the lobby of the Olympia Fields post office exuded a zen-like calm Wednesday.
Laya said it just hadn't been that busy.
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"We had our rush on the Monday before last, Dec. 12, with people shipping parcel post," he said.
The second heaviest day was this past Monday, Laya said. He predicted the worst was over. "People in Olympia Fields are organized," he joked.
Lobby hours can vary between post offices, so before heading to your local post office, you might want to check the USPS website, or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.
You call also locate sites to ship via UPS via the company's website, and FedEx as well.
Better hurry. Christmas is this Sunday, Dec. 25, and the eight days of Hanukkah began Tuesday evening, and conclude Wednesday, Dec. 28. Kwanzaa begins Monday, Dec. 26 and ends Jan. 1.
Celebrating Festivus? It's too late to mail a gift for this Seinfeld-spawned alternative holiday celebrated Dec. 23. But you could pick up a phone, call a loved one, and invite them to a Festivus activity: "Airing of the Grievances."
