MASS. - This time of year is always busy for the United States Postal Service [USPS], but this year, they're seeing record mail and package volume. 

USPS Communications Specialist, Steve Doherty, says to avoid a trip to the store more people are ordering items online. He says they've had holiday volumes of packages going back to February. 

If you haven't sent holiday cards or packages yet, Doherty says the earlier the better. There are some deadlines starting this week to keep in mind.

"We have the regular deadlines which would be [Tuesday, Dec. 15] for ground service, [Dec, 18] for First Class mail, cards and letters and those sorts of things, [Dec.19] for priority mail and [Dec. 22] for Express Mail or overnight service. But again the earlier you get it in the system the better because this isn't normal this year the volumes are like we have never seen before,"saidDoherty.

Doherty says USPS has hired more than 1,000 people as holiday help in the Northeast. With the increase in volume expected to continue, he says they're also hiring for beyond the holiday season as well.​