Long lines for busiest mailing day of the year

BELLMAWR, N.J. (WPVI) -- Christmas is quickly approaching.

And the rush is on to get those gifts delivered to loved ones across the country.

According to the USPS, Monday was the busiest mailing day of the year.

Chances are you probably found yourself waiting in line at a post office.

In South Jersey, if you were sending a package, most likely it's coming through the massive USPS processing center in Bellmawr.

"We expect to cancel about 1.2 million letters today. We put the post mark on and move it on to its next step and we expect to process about 100,000 originating packages today," Senior Plant Manager David Robinson said.

It's more than 360,000 square feet with almost 830 employees.

They process 8,000 packages an hour with the automated package processing system.

"The goal is to make sure everyone gets their gifts and gets them on time and they come like they're supposed to, nice and neat," Robinson said.

The Bellmawr group seems up for the tasks.

A lot of happy holidays depends on them and they have no plans on letting you down.

When you speak with someone like Charlie Crawford of West Deptford, New Jersey you understand why that's so important.

We met Charlie as he was carrying a huge package into the post office.

A package for his son.

"It's a package for my son. He's in Kuwait, he's a marine. Kevin, God I wish you were here. Me and your mom miss you. Your brothers and sisters miss you. We love you and are proud of you," Crawford said.

Here are the USPS Christmas shipping deadlines:

December 20 - First-Class Mail

December 21 - Priority Mail

December 23 - Priority Mail Express

Shipping deadlines for other carriers are also quickly approaching.

Wednesday December 21 is the deadline for UPS' 2nd day option.

With FedEx, you have an extra day. Shipping by Thursday December 22 will guarantee delivery in time for Christmas.