RALEIGH (WTVD) -- There's a rush at local post offices, FedEx and UPS locations Monday as people try to get those Christmas cards and packages somewhere by Dec. 25.
Dec. 15 is considered the busiest shipping day of the year.
"640 million pieces of mail will go through the system today alone," said Monica Coachman, with the U.S. Postal Service.
The post office expects a 12 percent increase in the number of packages shipped and delivered this year from last year.
"We prepared for this. Last year we had a very successful holiday season, we were able to retain a lot of those customers...and so we ramped up," Coachman said.
29,000 seasonal postal workers were hired this year -- 4,000 more than last year.
FedEx expects a record 22.6 million packages in its system Monday and says it is its biggest day, ever.
UPS says next Monday, Dec. 22, is its busiest day, but Derrick Vause, who has worked there for five years, is already seeing things ramp up.
"We used to do 90,000 packages a night...now we're doing 270,000 a night," Vause said.
Still, no matter how busy, all three delivery services say if you get your package or letter in on time, it will get there by Christmas Day.
"This is our season, this is when we shine," Coachman said.