Many post offices will stay open late and be open Sundays to handle the blizzard of 20 billion pieces of mail this holiday season. While this year’s holiday shopping window between Thanksgiving and Christmas is six days shorter than last year, Chief Operating Officer Pat Donahoe said this year’s volume is expected to remain about the same as last year. This year’s busiest mailing day is projected to be Monday, December 16, with 850 million of pieces of mail entering the system. Two days later, Wednesday, December 18, will be the busiest delivery day.

During the two weeks prior to Christmas, the National and Area Operations Center network operates around the clock. The network shares information on operations and mail flow between mail processing and distribution centers and with major mailing customers. To move the large holiday volumes, the Postal Service has printed 2.85 billion holiday stamps. It also expanded retail and logistical operations.

In addition to 38,000 post offices, stamps are now available at more than 60,000 drug stores and supermarkets. These locations are identified by a “Buy Stamps Here” decal. Stamps can also be purchased at 17,000 ATMs.