No brown paper packages tied up with strings

The Postal Service has these two suggestions to get your holiday mail to its destination on time: “MAIL EARLY AND ADDRESS COMPLETELY.” Here are some helpful holiday mailing tips:

Americans can help send their holiday mail with more efficiency by using complete addressing. Make sure you have the correctly spelled name, current address and ZIP Code (even the nine-digit ZIP Code if you have it). Print or type the address in the middle of the envelope. Black ink is preferable — to add contrast.

Pay particular attention to correct street and apartment numbers; directionals like East, West, North and South; address numbers and locations such as Street, Avenue, Road, Place, Drive, or Circle. Use abbreviations for directionals, street locations and the state, but don’t punctuate. Use all capital letters. Put the ZIP Code on the last line next to the city and state. Make sure your return address is in the upper left portion of the envelope.

Holiday parcels or packages can be mailed which weigh up to 70 pounds. Packages should not exceed 108 inches in length and girth (thickest part of the package) combined. In preparing your package, use a strong box or container that has enough room for the object being mailed plus newspaper, styrofoam or other material to provide a protective “cushion.” Seal the package securely using strong, pressure-sensitive packaging tape (not masking tape). Avoid using brown wrapping paper, cord or string on the outside. (These items can be torn in mail processing equipment.)

When addressing packages, print the address in the lower right-hand corner of the package and your return address in the upper left-hand corner on one side only. Include this information on a piece of paper inside the package. Use indelible, black ink.

Most mail travels throughout the United States by air and surface transportation. The best prevention against possible delays caused by winter snow storms is mailing your packages early in the holiday season, preferably by the end of the first week in