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Final Days To Ship Christmas Packages

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - The U.S. Postal Service says Dec. 17 will be the  busiest day of the year for mailing holiday packages, and you better get that box in the mail if you want to make sure it gets where it's going by Christmas morning.

More than 650 million items will be sent on Monday; Wednesday will be busiest for delivery of cards and letters, while most packages will be dropped off on Thursday.

The post office says if you want to make sure your package arrives by Christmas Day -- via First-Class delivery, you need to send items by Thursday. Friday is the deadline for Priority Mail and Saturday is the cutoff date for sending things via Express Mail.

Those stopping by the Southfield post office on 11 Mile Road on Monday will want to pack their patience. All afternoon, the parking lot was full and the line was nearly out the door.

Detroiter Allyson Lindsey is sending out Christmas cards and CDs to her family. She told WWJ's Kathryn Larson she's never sent something out this late. "I think it brought it on myself. I could have went a little bit earlier, but this is to be expected so I'm not complaining," Lindsey said.

Linda Brewington of Troy was shipping some homemade black licorice to her brother. " ... It was a last-minute decision to send the present, so, I'm hoping to get it in," she said.

A few other do's and don'ts before you ship:

Do's:

--- Wrap in durable paper

--- Include return addresses

--- Use box and cushioning

--- Mail early!

--- Take batteries out of electronics

Don'ts:

--- Include perfume or cologne

--- Use box with markings

--- Use newspaper or popcorn

--- Leave flaps unsealed

U.S. Postal Service expects to have delivered 17.9 billion cards, letters and packages between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

Post offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1. Get more USPS information at this link.

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