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KIRKSVILLE,MO. -- It's beginning to look a lot like chaos at the Kirksville Post Office which means one thing, the holiday season is here!

The U-S Postal Service announced on Wednesday the suggested mail dates to ensure all packages, cards and letters reach their intended destination before December 25.

First-Class Mail should be mailed by December 20.

Priority Mail by December 21.

All parcels should be sent off by December 15.

If you have loved ones overseas those packages and letters should be sent off no later than December 10.

Kirksville Post Master Greg Stiner says plan ahead before you send your mail.

"You need to allow extra time for shipping and sending your holiday items and packages. Make sure you allow that extra time because of the extra volumes. We are handling a lot of times this year and we want to get them to where they are going," said Stiner.

The Postal Service would also like to remind residents to clear ice and snow from your sidewalks and mailboxes to ensure faster service.