Holiday stamps hit local post office shelves

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County Times
The Christmas season is once again upon us, and the U.S. Postal Service has already begun to sell the 2007 holiday postage stamps.
The Postal Service printed 2.7 billion holiday stamps this holiday season available at 55,000 post offices nationwide, and post offices across Franklin County are no exception.
"Customers are already coming in and asking for the holiday stamps," Russellville Delivery Supervisor Kelly Culpepper said.
This year's designs are the Madonna and child, Holiday Knits, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
"The Holiday Knits will be the most popular stamps this year, but the Madonna and Child stamps will be a close second," Culpepper predicted.
Culpepper added that many customers are very particular about which holiday stamps they get.
"Some customers like to have the religious stamps while others go for the more cheerful designs," Culpepper said. "But, one thing is for certain, customers get very upset if you try to sell them leftovers from last year…They always want the most current holiday stamps."
Purchasing holiday stamps is more than a trend. It's a tradition that many have stuck with over the years.
"People want their cards and letters to have that extra dash of holiday cheer during this time of the year," Culpepper said.
From a business standpoint, the holiday season has a positive effect on the U.S. Postal Service.
Culpepper said that while e-mail has caused a dip in standard delivery mail, it has yet to put a dent in holiday delivery and sales.
"People want that personal card or letter that they can hold in their hand at Christmastime."