Busiest day at post office, just another day

Business as usual for the U.S. Postal Service includes long lines and huge mailings only weeks before Christmas.

The second Monday before Christmas has traditionally become the heaviest mailing day of the holiday season for the post office.

"All the mail from Northern Nevada gets canceled in Reno," said Alicia Wendt, spokeswoman for the Carson City post office. "They are expecting 750,000 pieces to be canceled tonight."

As for the delivery, the heaviest dates tend to be two to three days after that Monday, and two days before Christmas.

"We're just trying to get things done as quickly as we can," she said. "Everything that's coming over the window tonight comes out two to three days someplace away from here."

She said she thought the reason for the crush was that it was the second to last weekend before the actual holiday, and by then everyone had their lists pretty much together.

The post office has expanded hours for the holiday mailing.

"We have six windows and a crew of 10," she said. "We just keep putting people in there to make sure the line flows smoothly."

She said those mailing packages can make the process easier by making sure that addresses are clearly printed, and that there is a return address on all packages.

Other suggestions include:

- Always use complete address information, such as Ave., Blvd., and St.

- Always use the apartment or suite number. Always use correct directionals such as N, W, and SW.

- Always check the ZIP code

- Select a box that's strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for cushioning inside the carton.

- Cushion package contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap, or Styrofoam peanuts.

- Carefully pack glass and fragile hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage due to shock. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.

- Remove batteries from toys. Wrap and place them next to the toys in the mailing box.

- Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape, or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape.

- Packages that weigh 1 pound or more must be taken to the post office for mailing.