There is still time, says USPS

Procrastinators and last-minute mailers can still get holiday mail to their loved ones in time — if they act quickly.

But any further delay is strongly discouraged, said Sparta Postmaster Mary Jane Younger. "When it comes to holiday mail, the earlier, the better," she commented. For mailing packages, priority mail would be the best bet to ensure that loved ones get packages on time. "If they mail it priority mail, there's still a good chance it's going to make it, even if it's as late as Friday (Dec. 20)," she said. "Parcel post would be iffy."

Younger explained that priority mail is sent by air, while parcel post is delivered on the ground by trucks. Express mail is even surer; "most places in the country, it's guaranteed overnight, even Christmas Day," she said. However, it is also a more costly option for sending items or letters.

Even though it is best not to wait, the postal service will be working through the last minute to get out all the packages and letters that can be delivered. "We'll actually be here delivering mail on Christmas," said Younger.

As for cards and letters, those mailed by Friday will probably reach their destination by Christmas, as mail continues to move over the weekend. She hesitated to give delayers too much encouragement, however. "If you want to be sure and get it where it needs to go, you need to get it to the post office as soon as possible," she said.

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