Shipping Runs Smoothly this Holiday Season
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: December 15, 2010
MIDLAND -- Christmas is just 10 days away, here in the Basin people are buying and shipping gifts to their families.
Post Office's around Midland have been working hard to make sure residents are satisifed.
It's still too early to give an exact number.
But the Midland Postmaster says they're already shipping 7 percent more than last holiday season.
Even with the higher number, everything is running smoothly.
Doreen O'Hara's stack of boxes will be making multiple stops around the country.
"Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nashville," said Doreen O'Hara.
She says shipping them, has been a pleasure.
"It's been pretty good, the line has been moving pretty fast," said O'Hara.
Faster lines.
More staff.
More awareness.
Is what Postmaster Jeff Drake made sure happened this holiday season.
"Get in here and out quicker, thats really what their interested in," said Midland Postmaster, Jeff Drake.
He says the Post Office has made sure to let customers know of things like flat rate boxes.
A box where you can stuff as many items in it as you want. helping customers like Jim Limbacher send gifts to some troops he knows overseas.
"We are using a flat rate box, its handy and its convienient and we are thankful that we are able to do it," said Jim Limbacher.
Things are easier inside because people are purchasing more gifts online.
"A lot of people ordering are online as well, moving their transactions online, rather than going to the mall"
Drake knows he has a very important job on his hands, that is putting smiles on kids faces when they recieve that big brown box on Christmas.
"It's very important to get things out on time, it's very important to make people happy and make their grandkids happy, when they get those presents," said Drake.
If you want to make sure your gifts arrive on time for Christmas, here are some dates.
Today is the last day the post office recommends sending something on parcel post. December 20th is the deadline for first class. The 21st is the last day to send out on priority.
If you still can't make it then, Drake says your best bet is to send out on express delivery.
