Are you planning on mailing any packages for the holidays?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (53234)
October 21, 2025 10:46pm CST
Here in the US, the rates for our postal services is raising for the holidays. Yes, our Pony Express post offices evidently don't think they get enough money for their services, so they upped the prices from Oct. 5th, 2025, to Jan. 18. 2026. Supposedly this is to help with the costs of holiday mailings but I have to question--that's over 3 months!
So, in other words they are going to charge more for their poor services. I am thinking a lot of people will just get online and order what they want sent and have it sent to the recipient, to avoid all of the extra costs.
There is no end to the stupidity of this. They are digging their own grave, and we do need our postal service--preferably, the way it used to be.
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2025/0808-usps-announces-temporary-price-change-for-2025-holiday-shipping-season.htm
19 people like this
18 responses
@Namaco21 (301)
•
22 Oct
Honestly, you’re not wrong. It feels like every year the rates go up, but the quality of service doesn’t really improve. Three months is a pretty long “holiday period” to justify higher prices, too it’s like they’re milking the season rather than just covering peak shipping costs.
You’re right, most people will probably just order gifts online and have them shipped directly. It’s easier, often cheaper, and you don’t have to deal with long lines or lost packages. It’s a shame, though there used to be something really personal and reliable about sending cards and packages through the mail.
It kind of feels like they’re pushing people away instead of finding ways to bring them back.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
22 Oct
''It kind of feels like they’re pushing people away instead of finding ways to bring them back.''
This statement hits the nail on the head. Promising better services to justify higher prices is just not going to work for them, for too long now they have ignored the need to improve, and it's not a good thing. People don't want to pay more, because they do not trust that the mail service will be any better.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
22 Oct
That's a wonderful thing that you do. I don't think anyone could ever call you a Grinch! 
2 people like this
@sallypup (67519)
• Centralia, Washington
22 Oct
@MarieCoyle Thanks. Sometimes coming up with a story is a head banger but I enjoy it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
23 Oct
@sallypup
The main thing is that you enjoy it, and I am sure everyone who gets one will enjoy it, too.
@LadyDuck (490534)
• Italy
23 Oct
@MarieCoyle - I can trace the package and I know when it is delivered.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
23 Oct
I agree, it certainly is the best way now to send a package.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (117180)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Oct
My relatives will likely be sending less packages to close friends during the holidays due to the economy being bad news.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
29 Oct
I understand. I have heard more than one person say they were going to have to give less for Christmas.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (210502)
• United States
23 Oct
I'm going to be sending out copies of my book to a couple of friends...that's it.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (210502)
• United States
24 Oct
@MarieCoyle It will be a surprise for sure.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
24 Oct
I am sure they will be happy to get a copy of your book, Linda.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (66065)
• Serbia
25 Oct
@MarieCoyle Yes, it makes no sense. It's okay for postage to be higher for heavy packages.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
26 Oct
@Nevena83
It used to be better here for a person to use what we call ''Priority Mail''--it cost more, but the packages were guaranteed to arrive no later than 3 days. Now, that's a joke. It takes 4,5, or 6+days, but you pay for 3. If you complain, nothing is done.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
25 Oct
Yes, I discovered that last year. The item I tried to send to my daughter was going to cost me way more in shipping costs than it was worth. Crazy.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (201245)
• United States
22 Oct
I usually use Amazon services when I send holiday packages.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
25 Oct
The service is already bad, I can't imagine what it will be like this year for the holidays.
@FourWalls (81785)
• United States
22 Oct
Oh heck no. I’m not mailing ANYTHING that I don’t have to. I got my best friend a souvenir keychain from the Standing on the Corner shop in Winslow, Arizona, and I’d rather hand deliver it to her (she lives in Dallas) than risk mailing it to her!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
22 Oct
She once you were a long time postal employee, you well remember when they seemed to take pride in a job well done. Now, they just don’t care!
I wouldn’t mail that, either!!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
22 Oct
It is.mo longer safe to mail a gift card in an envelope here anymore. Last Christmas there was a lot of theft—the envelopes were tampered with and gift cards removed and then taped shut with nothing inside. I hope that doesn’t happen to anyone again this year.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39354)
• Toccoa, Georgia
22 Oct
We will be getting together with the relatives we will give gifts to, so we won't be mailing any.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
23 Oct
I will see most of my family at some point over the holidays, only my Florida family will not be here. People are sending out less and less packages.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
22 Oct
I used to send packages to my little Florida family. But they don’t want me to, due to the prices of mailing.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (92790)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Oct
No extra finaces so not sending anybody anything, I might get myself something from Amazon just to have a holiday package,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
23 Oct
Times are really tough for so many of us. By all means, get yourself a gift!
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (87789)
• United States
22 Oct
The cost of mailing a package has gotten ridiculous not to mention just the price of a stamp to mail a letter/card keeps going up too.
Every year I send some sort of gift basket to my Aunt & Uncle and will order online and have it shipped directly to them.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
23 Oct
It's no doubt more convenient, and cheaper, to just have it shipped to them, I agree.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (53234)
•
23 Oct
And to mail one little card or note is 78 cents...good grief.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (184284)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Oct
So they want to gouge you coming in going. Gouge you getting the presents and then again sending them out. It's not as if they don't have a bad rep anyway. Why not make it even worse?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (368944)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Oct
Our postal service has gone to the dogs too. Stamps have gone up and up as have parcel charges.
@jefferson126 (3663)
• Shenzhen, China
22 Oct
Over 3 months price rise is too long,that is not reasonable time period.Hope the price go back before long.
