Don't miss deadline for sending holiday cheer to friends, loved ones

  • Published
  • By Debbie Aragon
  • 55th Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --   Although the saying goes, "It's better to give than receive," most people would agree getting gifts is still very nice, especially during the holiday season.

"For military service members stationed around the globe, holiday gifts are a big morale boost," said Roger Humphries, U. S. Postal Service customer relations coordinator for the Greater Omaha area.

To help make sure military members deployed to southwest Asia and other overseas locations don't miss out of holiday cheer from friends and loved ones, U.S. Postal Service officials have established mailing deadlines.

In order for packages to reach their final destination before Dec. 25, holiday packages need to be sent by Nov. 13 if mailed using the most economical postage method, Parcel Post. It's Nov. 28 for space-available mail, Dec. 4 for Parcel Airlift and Dec. 11 for Priority Mail. The deadline for cards is Dec. 11 as well.

"We recommend mailing (packages and cards) early or you risk them not arriving in time. You and can also expect to encounter long lines (at the post office)," said Leslie Wredt, USPS window clerk at the Offutt Post Office.

Whether mailing early or just before a deadline, Ms. Wredt said customers can ease their visit to the post office by preparing everything ahead of time, including the required U.S. custom's label. Mailing labels, customs labels, tape and flat-rate boxes are available inside the Offutt Post Office.

"Anyone can stop by and pick up what they need to prepare their packages and the necessary paperwork at home," she said.

When preparing packages for loved ones, it's important to remember what can and can't be shipped, Ms. Wredt noted.

Recently, Ms. Wredt said she overheard two customers talking about things their loved ones wanted shipped to them.

"One lady said her husband wanted her to send him grass or grass seed because he wanted to plant it to make things feel more like home," Ms. Wredt said.

While she understands the desire to make a loved one feel more comfortable wherever they are, Ms. Wredt said there are firm USPS prohibitions on shipping certain items such as grass, grass seed and alcohol for example.

Although there are specific restrictions for each five-digit Military and Diplomatic Post Office ZIP Code, the following are prohibited by the USPS in the region of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom:

* Obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.) and horror comics

* Anything depicting nude or semi-nude individuals, pornographic or sexual items, or unauthorized political materials

* Alcoholic beverages and items containing alcohol such as chocolates.

* Bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the personal use of the addressee are allowed.

* Pork or pork by-products

Despite these prohibitions, there are still many things that families and friends can mail to loved ones far from home.

Ms. Wredt said she has seen a wide variety of edible goodies with large quantities of candies and cookies.

To help families and friends of U.S. military members, the USPS offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate box, Mr. Humphries said.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail large flat rate box is $13.95 but for packages to APO/FPO addresses the price is reduced to $11.95. Postal service customers can also print their own Priority Mail postage labels online at www.usps.com and receive an additional discount Mr. Humphries said.

The postal service further "shows support to those serving in the armed forces by offering free military care kits designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas," Mr. Humphries added. The kits can be ordered by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for a military care kit.

Each kit includes two "America Supports You" large Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.

For more information on holiday mailing, visit the USPS Web site or the Offutt Post Office. The base post office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.