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The U.S. Postal Service estimates it will process 960-million items today – a 27-percent increase from the normal day's haul of around 700-million pieces.

"I thought today would probably be the last day that you could safely get the mail there in time for the holidays," said a customer.

With the economy in a down cycle, the post office is not expected to have a record year.

"This year we're expecting a little bit less, about 19-billion pieces. But 19 billion is still a whole lot of cards and packages," said George Flood of the United States Postal Service.

Still, Flood says the USPS was not taking any chances.

"We have addition resources, additional personnel," he said. "We're going to give overtime to our employees and we've contracted out to get additional transportation."

Since lines were long, people tried to find whatever shortcuts they could.

"I'm sending out Christmas cards and I have to say the automated tellers are perfect for that," said another customer. "They are giving out nice Christmas stamps for the first time I think and it makes it pretty easy."

"I was very neglectful before I went on a two-week trip and this is it. I have to mail today or they won't go out," said a third. "But the machines are great. I get all my stamps in the machine and it looks pretty quiet to me."

Those sending a package through the postal service and want it delivered by Christmas Day must send it by tomorrow for parcel post, December 20th for first-class and priority mail, and December 23rd for express mail.