Packages piling up at post office; Christmas stamps going fast

    More than 500 packages arrived at the Imperial Post Office Monday, a growing sign the Christmas mailing season is here.
    Postmaster Stephanie Stolz said Monday’s arrival of packages easily topped the 400 packages and parcels arriving the week before on Monday, Dec. 5.
    “During the next two weeks, I’m expecting it to be very busy here,” she said.
    With that in mind, she noted some important deadlines that are nearing for mailing of packages out of Imperial for delivery before Christmas. They are:
    Dec. 17—First class packages
    Dec. 19—Priority mail packages
    Dec. 22—Priority Express out of Imperial
    If people want Christmas cards to arrive before Dec. 25,  Stolz recommends they be mailed no later than Dec. 17.
    “Mail across the country has slowed down due to restructuring and labor shortages,” she said.
    Christmas season stamps are also going out the door, she said.
    Three new designs for 2022 include the virgin and child, holiday elves and “snowy beauty,” the latter a variety of flowers in snow.
    Most popular have been the holiday elves and virgin and child stamps.
    People also can purchase Christmas stamps from 2021  at the local post office including the Our Lady of Guadalupe and otters and snow designs, she noted.
    All are forever stamps so can be used indefinitely, she said.
    Stolz reminds customers the Imperial Post Office will be closed all day Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2. No mail will be received or go out those days.
    The post office will be open its regular house Saturdays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Christmas open house
    This Friday, patrons of the Imperial Post Office can enjoy a Christmas open house which will include the swearing-in of Postmaster Stolz.
    The swear-in of Stolz, who assumed the Postmaster position mid-June, is set for 10 a.m.
    Stolz said the “short and sweet” ceremony is open to the public, after which refreshments will be served during the open house until 4 p.m.
    Youngsters can also pick up a page to color from the service counter and return it. A drawing will be held for prizes from those entered.