U.S. Postal Service officials kicked off the shipping season Thursday, announcing they’ll be delivering packages seven days a week to hundreds of cities across the country from Nov. 17 until Christmas Day.

“The Postal Service ships more packages to more places than anyone else,” said Santa Clarita Postmaster Gabriel Magdaleno. “During the holidays, we’re raising the bar with enhanced tracking and Sunday delivery, providing excellent service and reliability that only Santa can compete with.”

Sunday package delivery officials will continue their commitment in providing customers reliable services as the nation’s Postal Service responds to the increase in packages and business services coming from online purchasing.

“Every household in America relies on us to get their packages in home for the holidays and we take great pride in taking on that responsibility,” said Magdaleno. “We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to deliver for our customers.”

Due to continued the growth of online purchasing and the improvements to its Priority Mail product line, the Postal Service is expecting a double-digit growth this holiday season.

Officials estimate a range of 450-470 million packages that would average a growth of around 12-14 percent over the same period last year.

“This is truly our season at the Postal Service, it is crunch time,” said Magdaleno. “We have stepped up our game to ensure America that USPS can be counted on to deliver their cards, gifts and letters in time for the holidays.”

The Postal Service recommends keeping the following mailing and shipping deadlines in mind:

Dec. 2 – First-Class Mail International/Priority Mail International

Dec. 10 – Priority Mail Express International

Dec. 15 – Standard Post

Dec. 17 – Global Express Guaranteed

Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail/Priority Mail (domestic)

Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express (domestic)

Magdaleno shared how consumers can avoid holiday hassles by visiting usps.com  the postal service’s website that will help make mailing and shipping easier. Millions of customers will skip the trip to the Post Office altogether and can take advantage of convenient online shipping this holiday season. A simple click-n-ship and with other online services allow customers to print shipping labels, order free Priority Mail boxes, purchase postage while even requesting free next-day package pickup.

– Kitty Rodriguez