ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Last year, the United States Postal Service says they delivered nearly 12 billion letters and packages for the holidays, and they’re not expecting anything different for this year.

“Our package volume is higher and, you know, we normally go to every home, but on top of our regular mail now, we have to deliver packages as well," USPS mail carrier Christopher Velez said. "So it does get a little busier. Everything is double. Some of the guys are usually working 10 to 12 hours. But it’s manageable. We try to do the best that we can with it."

“[It's] busy. It’s simply said, it’s busy," USPS strategic communications specialist Mark Lawrence said. "And we prepare year round for this. You know, it’s the grand finale at the end of the year, and we take pride in putting smiles on our customer's faces [and] delivering that holiday joy."

This is Velez’s 12th winter working for the company. He and the rest of the crew have been called in at least two hours early to their shifts to accommodate the busier workflow during the holidays. On Monday, he was expecting a 10-hour workday, but for others that number could approach closer to a 12-hour workday. He says it’s because he delivers to fewer neighborhoods.

“I have about 325, but that’s not really a lot," he said. "Some carriers are out there about 500-600. It all depends on how far the houses are spaced apart. Each tray holds roughly 500 letters. I started with three trays. So I’ve got about 1,500 letters today, but that’s a light day.”

Velez has worked for USPS for years, but staffing accommodations have also been taken to prepare for this year's work load.

“Last year we onboarded 10,000 seasonal staff," Lawrence said. "This year we onboarded 7,500. Once again, we've been working on solidifying our workforce and strengthening that through to Delivering for America plan once again. And, you know, between getting people on board and filling some of those vacancies, we then have to hire as many this year. Like I said, we have the comparable volume. So it’s good to be in a stronger spot coming into this holiday."

Extra staffing and more resources have led to smooth sailing for the USPS, according to Lawrence.

“Our Delivering for America plan, which came about in March of 21," he said. "Since the installation of that, we've installed 506 package sorting machines across the country. So, we can process 60-77 million packages a day throughout the country. And it allows us to, you know, streamline our process, get packages from point A to point B a lot quicker, and increase the customer satisfaction that ultimately we desire to continually improve on. We've streamlined our transportation routes through the Delivering for America plan. And we're going to stay steady on that and continually try to improve and evolve here and be the best we possibly can.”

The job can consist of long hours and tough work. Velez says on a light day he’ll walk anywhere between 23,000 and 24,000 steps and he sees a little bit of everything. The busy season doesn’t always end on Christmas Day.

“Christmas cards, you know, gift cards, all that stuff. They want to spend their money," he said. "We'll be really busy in the new year after they start spending it all."

“Get the gift cards in your hand [and] some items that might not be right," Lawrence said. "So we will be handling some returns and some other purchases after the holidays or people hitting the sales and using some of those gift cards. Then you're looking at some Valentine's Day and Mother's Day coming up. So those are holidays that we see an influx, but not nearly like we do for the Christmas season."

Mail carriers are Santa’s elves on the ground this time of the year, but they can be easily forgotten. For Velez, Monday wasn’t like a normal day.

“A little gift from my customers there. That’s always nice,” Velez said after finding a present one household left for him. “It's very nice that they appreciate us. And, you know, those little gifts are nice. They make going through these rough days a little better, you know?”

Velez says his job helps him feel like a part of the community. He considers himself fortunate to also deliver in his own neighborhood, so he knows the residents and their pets.

“You are part of a community here," he said. "These guys see you every day. [For] some of these people, we're the only person they see in a whole day. So you're part of the community. I try to smile [at] everybody. I try to enjoy myself while I work."

As many anxiously await deliveries for their loved one's holiday gifts, Lawrence reminds the public to remain patient and know what’s most important.

“Just remember, the holidays are about the thought that counts," he said. "So if you were waiting for that one last item that just arrived, now you have it in your possession and you're like, 'Hey, I need to get it to them.' Let them know it’s on the way, and we might be able to get it there for you through our express service. But it’s the thought that counts."

Busy season will likely continue through the new year as returns and online shopping with holiday gift cards continue. To help mail carriers succeed, Velez and Lawrence agree, it’s appreciated when residents clear the pathways for them, and make sure pets are on a leash when deliveries arrive.

“If we have an impact from Mother Nature with some snow coming in, just, make sure you shovel your steps and your walkways," Lawrence said. "If you have a curbside mailbox where the carrier delivers in the vehicle, make sure they approach 15 ft. in advance and 15 ft. from departure is clear. So they can pull up to the mailbox and depart without having to back up. Keep your dog restrained in the house. No loose dogs. That's never a good thing for us. And if you have any questions on the Postal Service and our products and offerings, feel free to visit our website, usps.com."