ST LOUIS - “The key to holiday shipping is being prepared and starting early,” advises U.S. Postal Service Marketing Manager Kim Caldwell-Harvey. “This is our season and we are ready to deliver. The Postal Service’s knowledgeable employees are here to help customers ensure their holiday packages are packed, tracked and delivered with ease.”

In addition to offering 2015 holiday stamps, Post Offices nationwide will offer festive Priority Mail boxes and other packing items to provide customers with added convenience, including bubble mailers, mailing cartons, bubble wrap and packaging tape.

No time for a trip to the Post Office? No problem. By using Click-N-Ship on usps.com, on-the-go customers can ship their packages when it’s most convenient for them. As an added bonus, customers can receive savings off retail prices when they print their own labels with postage online.

Here are more holiday shipping tips to help customers prepare their holiday shipments for an on-time delivery:

• Enjoy convenience: Order free Priority Mail shipping supplies on usps.com and have them delivered to your door, free of charge.

• Be informed: Check usps.com to verify that your items can be shipped.

• Pack smart: Pick a strong and sturdy box, cushion contents with packing peanuts, newspaper or bubble wrap and tape it closed with strong packing tape.

• Save a trip: Visit usps.com to pay for postage and request free Package Pickup at your door.

• Track it: Sign up for text and email alerts through my.usps.com to track the delivery status of your packages.

• Gift options: Pick up a gift card from your local Post Office; they make great gifts for family and friends.

“We know how stressful the holiday season can be,” said Caldwell-Harvey. “With a little help from the Postal Service, you can prepare your holiday shipments with ease so you can get back to enjoying this special time of year.”

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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. A complete list of the holiday shipping deadlines can be found at usps.com/holidaynews.

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