Expect to wait in line at the U.S. Post Office Monday.

Brookhaven’s postmaster predicts Monday will be the busiest dayof the year for postal workers.

“It just seems that that is when most people mail theirChristmas packages,” said Postmaster Chuck Price. “It’s usually theMonday two weeks prior to Christmas.”

Monday is the not the last day to mail packages to ensuredelivery prior to Christmas, but it is the traditional start of theholiday package rush, Price said.

Priority mail can be used all next week for pre-Christmasdeliveries with confidence it will arrive by the holiday, Pricesaid. Priority mail averages two to three days for delivery.

After this week, however, Price said customers should considerthe slightly more expensive Express Mail service, which isguaranteed to arrive overnight, except in some remote areas.

Some customers can also avoid the long lines by using thecarrier pickup service, he said. Postage must already be on thepackage in order to use the service.

“The carrier will come pick up the package so they don’t have tostand in line,” Price said. “They would have to weigh it to knowhow much postage to put on it.”

Lines may also be forming at The Mail Station and at BrookhavenWedding and Party, two local businesses which offer mailingservices for customers.

The Mail Station, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary thisyear, is the only business in town that offers to prepare packagesfor its customers, said owner Layla Edwards.

Packages can be mailed there until Dec. 23 for Christmas Evedelivery through next-day air service, she said.

“(Business) is already starting to increase daily,” Edwardssaid. “People like to wait to the last minute.”

The Mail Station has expanded its business hours to 7 p.m.beginning Monday to help meet demand, she said.

Price suggested people who will be out of town for the holidaysput a hold on their mail. Holds can be placed on mail for a minimumof three days.

“They have the option of picking that mail up or we’ll deliverit when we resume delivery,” he said.

Resumption of service can be prearranged or customers can notifythe post office after their return, he said.