Busiest shipping day of the year

There's a rush at local post offices, FedEx and UPS locations as people try to get those Christmas cards and packages somewhere by Dec. 25.

Dec. 15 is considered the busiest shipping day of the year.

"About 640 million pieces of mail will go through the system today alone," said Monica Coachman, with the U.S. Postal Service.

The post office expects a 12 percent increase in the number of packages shipped and delivered this year from last year.

FedEx expects a record 22.6 million packages in its system Monday, but UPS says next Monday, Dec. 22, is its busiest day.

Still, no matter how busy, all three delivery services say if you get your package or letter in on time, it will get there by Christmas Day, but it could cost you.

At this point, the most cost effective option for the post office is first class and priority shipping until Dec. 20.

"The absolute last day to mail and get it there on time will be to send it priority mail express," explained Dionne Montague, with the US Postal Service. "You have until Dec. 23. Priority mail express starts at $19.99."