Holiday Editorial Planning Guide: This Weekend In Connecticut Valley Post Offices

Rocking around the APC

This weekend, postal customers will look for supplies and stamps. Here is a local editorial planning guide to the ways the Postal Service will reach out to customers this weekend in your area.

HARTFORD —Postal customers will be rocking around the APC this month, as all Automated Postal Centers (APCs) in the region begin to dispense this year's Winter Holidays stamps that feature a reindeer, snowman, gingerbread man and toy soldier.  

The 24-hour self-service stations also offer shipping services and zip code look-ups, with recent upgrades that permit post office box payments. 

Automated Postal Centers (APCs) offer a Spanish-language option for all transactions.   

Connecticut APCs are located in Bridgeport, Danbury, Enfield, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Greenwich (Greenwich Avenue Station, Greenwich Postal Store), Hamden, Hartford, Manchester, Milford, New Canaan, New Haven, Newington, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, West Hartford and Wilton.

Western Massachusetts APCs are located in Amherst, East Longmeadow, North Hampton and Pittsfield.

Bargain of the Weekend:

Just the right sized box (and free, too)
Finding just the right box for holiday mailing is a bargain, with free Priority Mail supplies.

Local post offices are well stocked for holiday shippers looking for the familiar red, white and blue containers.  New this holiday season is a Priority Mail Flat Rate Gift Envelope that makes a test run at larger Post Offices around the region.

Each $4.95 flat-rate envelope includes a convenient slot inside for securing gift cards. This new product is designed for mailing greeting cards with a gift card enclosed or sending oversized greeting cards.   The retailing legend, Macy’s, is already using the new envelopes with gift card sales made on its website.

Not sure what size Priority Mail flat rate box works for the slippers and fruitcake?  Also new this season is a free Priority Mail variety pack, available to order at usps.com.   This includes four of the popular postal packages, including 

• one  Small Flat Rate Box (8 5/8" x 5 3/8" x 1 5/8" – ships at $4.95),
• two Medium Flat Rate Boxes (11" x 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"  and 11 7/8" x 3 3/8" x 13 5/8" -- ships at $10.35),
• and a Large Flat Rate Box (12 1/4" x 12 1/4" x 6" -- ships at $13.95).

By preparing postage online, mailers qualify for a five percent discount. Delivery Confirmation for Priority Mail is also available for no extra fee with online postage. 

Postal officials recommend ordering Priority Mail flat rate supplies at www.usps.com by Thursday, December 10, to insure receipt for holiday shipping. 

What is the Connecticut Valley story this weekend?
Since 1938, the Bethlehem, Connecticut Post Office has lent an extra holiday for thousands of holiday cards each year, by offering visitors and customers a selection of more than 70 holiday designs to add to their holiday cards before the Post Office graces each envelope with a postmark from Bethlehem itself.  

“We do continue to have our lobby set up with the tables and all now through the end of the year for the customers to come any time,” explains Postmaster Donna Farrell. 

This year’s addition to the collection of stamping designs was prepared by Bethlehem Post Office sales associate, Mary Jane Laboudy, and includes the handprints of her four grandchildren surrounding a jolly snowman.

The Bethlehem Christmas festival begins this weekend and on Friday, December 5, the Bethlehem Post Office (34 East Street, Bethlehem 06751) will open until 8 pm.  It will also open on Saturdays until 3 pm until December 19.   

There is no added charge for the hand stamping service and tables will be provided to assist visitors seeking designs to for their holiday greetings.  

YOU OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURE (stamps)
Now that you've got Billy's school picture or Fido's photo with Santa, how will you share these with adoring friends, co-workers and family?  It's not too late to create customized postage for use on holiday cards or as gifts for the New Year.  

The Postal Service provides personalized postage in partnership with four vendors:

Zazzle Custom Stamps says you can make every letter a special delivery with customized postage! Add photos, business logos, and text to design your own custom postage.  Discounts begin with as few as two sheets, with turnaround within 48 to 72 hours.
www.zazzle.pb.com

Photostamps, offered through stamps.com, recommends that orders be placed no later than December 16 for normal handling and December 21 for rush receipts by Christmas.  Don’t have a picture?  Use Photostamps library with NFL, collegiate logos and Anne Geddes images.   
http://photo.stamps.com/Store/?source=si10985886

Stamp Expressions, a postage option of Pitney Bowes, prints several personalized stamp denominations, including postcard stamps, and options that range from 20 stamps to a roll of 30,000 stamps.  Most orders ship within 48 to 72 hours.
http://www.pbcustomprint.com/

Endecia's Picture It Postage is printed on 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheets of self adhesive labels. Each pack contains 20 stamps – you select portrait or landscape orientation.  Biggest stamps available.
http://www.pictureitpostage.com/. 

IN THE NEXT PLANNING GUIDE Heading towards the busiest mail day (That’s Monday, December 14)…a look at the numbers.