If you’re mailing a Christmas package, and you want to do it through the Postal Service, you may notice it’s significantly more expensive. The First-Class shipping rate has gone up just under 13%. For Priority Mail, with delivery in 1-3 days, it’s up about 10%, and for overnight, or Priority Mail Express, it’s up 15.5%. Meanwhile, Postal Service Spokesperson Eva Jackson had no suggestions on the best way to prepare your package, to save the most money. But she reminds customers about their Flat Rate boxes…

click to listen to Eva Jackson

The price for the small box is $7.15…it’s $13.60 for medium…and $18.75 for large. But if you prefer to use your own box, Jackson says the top priority is making sure it’s strong enough to protect your contents…

click to listen to Eva Jackson

Jackson says this year’s deadline for mailing a package First Class is December 20th, with the 19th being the most busy day at the Post Office. It’s December 21st for Priority Mail, and the 23rd for Priority Mail Express. But she says more people are choosing to go the Postal Service’s Click and Ship link on their website, where you can pay for and label your package and leave it for your mail carrier. There are also Sunday package deliveries through the end of the month.