Are you planning on mailing any packages for the holidays?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (49869)
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
16 people like this
14 responses
@Namaco21 (274)
•
22h
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 (49869)
•
21h
''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 (49869)
•
21h
That's a wonderful thing that you do. I don't think anyone could ever call you a Grinch! 
2 people like this
@sallypup (66413)
• Centralia, Washington
11h
@MarieCoyle Thanks. Sometimes coming up with a story is a head banger but I enjoy it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (49869)
•
45m
@sallypup
The main thing is that you enjoy it, and I am sure everyone who gets one will enjoy it, too.
@FourWalls (79616)
• United States
11h
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 (49869)
•
8h
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 (49869)
•
20h
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 (38589)
• Toccoa, Georgia
7h
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 (49869)
•
48m
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.
@RasmaSandra (90069)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6h
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 (49869)
•
49m
Times are really tough for so many of us. By all means, get yourself a gift!
@MarieCoyle (49869)
•
47m
And to mail one little card or note is 78 cents...good grief.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (197725)
• United States
17h
I usually use Amazon services when I send holiday packages.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (180886)
• Boise, Idaho
11h
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
@MarieCoyle (49869)
•
8h
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
@Marilynda1225 (86607)
• United States
12h
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 (49869)
•
47m
It's no doubt more convenient, and cheaper, to just have it shipped to them, I agree.
@JudyEv (364622)
• Rockingham, Australia
15h
Our postal service has gone to the dogs too. Stamps have gone up and up as have parcel charges.
@jefferson126 (3632)
• Shenzhen, China
18h
Over 3 months price rise is too long,that is not reasonable time period.Hope the price go back before long.
