GREATER ROCHESTER — The Postal Service offers the following tips and deadlines to make the shipping season merry and bright:

Extended Saturday Hours:
The following Post Offices will be open until 4 p.m. on Saturday: Dec. 3, 10 & 17

• Irondequoit Branch, 425 Ridge Road East
• Westgate Branch, 1485 Howard Road
• Rochester Main Office, 1335 Jefferson Road

Sunday Hours:
The Rochester Main Office, 1335 Jefferson Road will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday: Dec. 11 & 17

Deadlines:

The Postal Service is suggesting these mail-by dates and tips to help customers mail and ship conveniently for the holidays:

Delivering Holiday Cheer to Service Members

Shipping Deadlines - For a full list of domestic, military and international deadlines please go to http://about.usps.com/holidaynews/


Stamps

• There are a number of Forever holiday stamps for customers to choose from, including Holiday Windows (pictured at top), Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Madonna and Child, and Nativity.

• Holiday stamps can be delivered to any address when ordered through usps.com, by calling       1-800-STAMP-24 or by completing a Stamps-By-Mail form (available from mail carriers).

Convenience Options and Services
Self-service kiosks can be found at the following locations and are available 24/7. Don’t wait in line during the busy holiday mailing season!  At a kiosk, you can mail packages, purchase stamps, and more:

ROCHESTER:

• Brighton Station – 130 Winton Rd N
• Greece Branch – 3245 Latta Rd         
• Irondequoit Branch – 425 Ridge Rd E
• Loehmann’s Plaza – 1900 Clinton Ave S.
• Panorama Branch – 1614 Penfield Rd           
• Ridgemont Branch – 2833 Ridge Rd W
• Rochester Main Office – 1335 Jefferson Rd   
• Westgate Branch – 1485 Howard Rd

Canandaigua Post Office – 405 Eastern Blvd
Fairport Post Office – 6740 Pittsford Palmyra Rd       
Henrietta Post Office – 25 Goodburlet Rd
Hilton Post Office – 25 South Ave
Macedon Post Office – 1475 Canandaigua Rd
North Chili Post Office – 3235 Union St
Pittsford Post Office – 5607 Palmyra Rd         
Penfield Post Office – 2080 Fairport 9 Mile Pt Rd       
Spencerport Post Office – 11 Amity St
Victor Post Office – 21 Framark Dr
Webster Post Office – 75 Barrett Dr    

Visit usps.com to ship and send in just a few clicks:

• Analyze prices, shipping options and delivery times by using the Calculate a Price tool.
• Receive a discount at checkout on select products when you print, prepare and pay for shipping labels with Click-N-Ship®.
• Schedule a next day Package Pickup for no extra charge.
• Order stamps via usps.com for delivery to your home.

Visit local retailers to purchase holiday stamps and mail packages:
1.   Many grocery stores, pharmacies and national retailers sell holiday stamps.
2.   Several local retailers offer postal shipping services in the evening and on weekends.
3.   To find the closest ones and their hours, go to usps.com and under Quick Tool click on Find USPS Locations.

Packaging Tips

How to pack a gift like a pro:

• Pick a strong and sturdy box, and tape it closed tightly.
• Cushion contents to protect them during transportation, and wrap glass and other fragile items with extra newspaper or packing material.
• Place wrapped gift boxes inside a plain larger box.
• Remove all batteries from electronics.
• Remember to place an extra shipping label inside the box, so the item can be returned in case the box or label gets damaged.

Successful shipping tips:

• Print addresses clearly and in CAPS.
• Include complete ‘to’ and ‘from’ info.
• Check usps.comfor the correct ZIP Code — never guess.
• Be sure to label a box as ‘FRAGILE’ if it needs to be handled with extra care.
• Visit usps.comto pay and print postage and schedule a pickup, or drop off your gift for delivery at the Post Office™.

Ship gifts across the globe without leaving home:

• Use the Postage Calculator tool on usps.comto check prices and compare options.
• Visit usps.comto complete a customs form and pay the postage.
• Print your shipping label.
• Schedule a free next day Package Pickup, or drop off your gift at your local Post Office.

For letters and cards:

• Use sturdy envelopes, especially when inserting gift cards inside.
• If sending a gift card, consider sticking an address label on the gift card; if item is separated from envelope it can be recovered for delivery.
• Never send cash.

Postal facts:

• USPS will handle approximately 16 billion letters, cards and packages during holiday season.
• Of those, approximately 750 million will be packages – up 12% from last holiday.
• In many areas, delivery of packages will occur 7 days per week (adding Sunday) to facilitate extra volume.
• The Buffalo and Rochester Processing & Distribution Centers is projected to handle, in total, about 75 million letters and cards this holiday season; the North West Rochester and Rochester Processing & Distribution Centers approximately 10 million packages. These facilities process all letters, cards and packages mailed from and delivered to western New York customers.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook (US Postal Service) and Twitter (@USPS) for holiday help throughout the season!

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.

More USPS holiday news, including shipping deadlines and Santa mail, can be found at usps.com/holidaynews.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), Pinterest (pinterest.com/uspsstamps), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps), subscribe to our channel on YouTube (youtube.com/usps), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/usps) and view our Postal Postsblog (uspsblog.com).

For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.