USPS prepares for holiday mail

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - With just weeks until Christmas, the U.S. postal service reminds us to send our packages early so they arrive under the tree in time.

With a growing number of cards, letters and packages, the USPS begins seven-day-a-week deliveries to keep up with the holiday rush as well as adding extended delivery hours.

The postal service expects nearly 15 billion pieces of mail will be sent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

Here are some important dates we need to have our mail shipped by to arrive by Christmas Day: All USPS retail ground mail needs to be sent by the December 14. Any first class packages under 16 ounces by December 16. All other first-class mail by December 19. Priority mail needs to be sent by December 20. And priority mail express should be in the mail by December 22.