CHRISTMAS CHEER. For those who have waited until the very last minute, there's really only one option: Express Mail from USPS. It's the only national service that offers delivery in many cities on Christmas Day. The local Post Office can advise mailers if a destination is eligible for Christmas Day delivery.

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. USPS is joining many other people and nations around the world in commemorating the Lunar New Year. According to the lunar calendar, the Year of the Ram begins Feb. 1, 2003, and ends Jan. 21, 2004. The Postal Service marks the event in three weeks, when it issues the 11th stamp in its award-winning Lunar New Year series on Jan. 15 in Chicago. The series began in 1993 with the Year of the Rooster stamp, followed by stamps for the Year of the Dog, Boar, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake and Horse.

The entire Lunar New Year series has been designed by Clarence Lee, an American of Chinese descent who lives in Hawaii. The intricate paper-cut designs have received numerous awards. Additional details and an image of the upcoming Year of the Ram stamp can be found at www.usps.com.