During the Christmas season mail traffic typically triples compared to other times of the year. However in spite of the seasonal increase in postal activity, seasonal mailings this year have been slower on average, no doubt due to the sluggish economy.

“Unfortunately the volume of parcels has dropped slightly, volumes have decreased by about 13 percent compared to last year,” explained Kirsi Paakari, Itella Operations Manager.

Postal authorities have advised that Friday is the last day for seasonal well wishers to mail off greetings locally in Finland. The Christmas holiday is the busiest period for postal workers, however the economic slump has seen fewer packages sent this year than last year.

More Parcels from Abroad

While domestic postal activity has declined slightly, officials report an increase in the number of packages imported from abroad. The increasing popularity of online shopping, particularly during the Christmas season, has seen an increase in imported consumer goods.

Itella’s Paakari said that there was a rise in the number of imported goods compared to last Christmas.

Consumers are able to make their online purchases, even up to the last minute. Postal offices will keep their doors open on the weekend before Christmas, December 19 -20, to facilitate last-minute shopping and gift mailing.

“Consumers are doing a lot of online shopping, and of course we at Posti want to help ensure that packages are delivered, so that they can receive their orders right up to the holiday,” said Paakari.

Correct Addresses Important

Many consumers believe that postal authorities can deliver packages to the right addresses, solely on the basis of a correct name.

“Perhaps people don’t realize that writing only a name on the packet could mean that the parcel won’t find its way to the addressee. We have no way of knowing who that person would be or what city they live in. Of course that can be worked out eventually, but there should always be a correct address on the mail,” said postal worker Karoliina Aho.

There is a separate unit for determining the right addressee at Itella’s Vantaa Logistics Centre.

“They may have to open the parcel to find some kind of clue about who the package is intended for. We get a surprising number of parcels that have no proper addresses,” Aho explained.

There is still hope for those who don’t make it to the post office on Friday. Express parcels mailed on Tuesday December 22nd will still make it to their destinations in time for the Christmas holiday. Christmas cards with first class stamps should be mailed by Monday December 21st at the latest.