Staff Writer

Nov. 25, 2000 10 PM

In this season of giving, the United States Postal Service is often the means of getting those gifts delivered.

Troy Postmaster Cody Ward admits this is a very busy time of the year, but the stress of the holidays can be lessened if packages are sent out early.

Ward said it’s also important to package gifts in corrugated boxes which better ensures everything will arrive in one piece.

"We encourage people to wrap their packages well," Ward said.

He said insuring packages is a good idea just in case something unfortunate happens and the package’s contents are broken.

The most important thing is to mail those packages early, Ward said.

As a matter of fact, anyone wanting to send something overseas will have to send it airmail in order to arrive in time for Christmas.

Those last-minute gift givers can always use the post office’s special services, but it will cost a bit more.

"If you mail them earlier, you can save some money," Ward said.

Speaking of money, there’s a chance the price of stamps will increase sometime next year.

Ward said the USPS’s Board of Governors has not made any final decisions regarding price increases, but an oversight committee has recommended just that.

"More than likely, there will be a one-cent increase sometime early in 2001," Ward said.

In addition to the price of stamps going up from 33 to 34 cents, the cost of special services may increase, as well.

But, as Ward pointed out, that’s not going to happen until the first of the year, so the real worry is getting those Christmas gifts and cards mailed out in time.