Fine-Tune Your Holiday To-Do List

The holidays are fast approaching. While some are enjoying the season by spending time with loved ones or volunteering for those who are less fortunate — many others are in a total state of chaos looking to purchase those last minute gifts or to put the final touches on their holiday soirees.

What those who are running around at the last minute may not realize is how much time is also spent in lines at the store or sitting in traffic. The Postal Service® is here to remind you that there are some time savers that will help keep you out of lines until New Years.

Below are tips to save some time this holiday season:

• Prep your holiday meals in advance. Know exactly what and how much you’re making beforehand. That way you can avoid those last minute trips to the grocery store. Also, don’t be afraid to get the whole family involved. Having a relative bring the mashed potatoes means one less thing you have to worry about.

• Ship Easy. Whether you’re sending Christmas cards or a gift to a relative halfway across the country, shipping from home can save you needless trips to the post office. USPS.com offers Click-N-Ship®, where you can pay for postage and print labels from your own computer.

• Do your research and make lists. Whether it’s ingredients you’ll need for a recipe or gifts for the family, you’ll save time by planning ahead. Call the store before leaving to make sure they have a specific item. There are few things worse than driving all the way to a store and then finding out when you get there that they are sold out.

• Ship Smart. You can download the free USPS Mobile App to find locations, calculate shipping prices, manage pickups, and more from the convenience of your phone.

• Shop Online. Skip the lines on Black Friday and get your shopping done from home. It’s easier, faster, and in many cases, just as cheap. Last year, Target offered almost all of its in-store Black Friday deals on its website, and Amazon offered TV deals comparable to Wal-Mart and Best Buy stores.

So spend your time this holiday season with your family and doing good deeds. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for a reason. Don’t wait until the one week your brother is in town to tackle that crazy holiday to-do list. There’s no reason to spend all of Christmas Day cooking or Black Friday waiting in line.

John Budzynski is a 32-year veteran of the United States Postal Service and currently serves as the consumer advocate and manager of customer relations. As consumer advocate, he is the independent voice of residential and commercial customers. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.