Holiday postal customers can avoid a trip to the post office this year. All your holiday shipping can be done online.

The holiday mailing season is in full swing and shipping deadlines are fast approaching. When you think of seasonal shipping you think of standing in long lines and carrying boxes to the post office. This year you can avoid all that by sending all your packages from your home using your computer.

Bill Elliott, the Postmaster of the Dothan Post Office, says, “What they save is time coming to the post office, time waiting in that line.”

You can order express and priority mail boxes and envelopes online. Customers can also purchase postage, print shipping labels and schedule package pickup online. The postman will pick up your package at your door for no extra charge.

Elliott says, “You can schedule a carrier pick up on line and let us know you have these packages, they're going to be on my porch and we'll pick them up that day.”

Cardstore offers customers a quick and easy way to personalize holiday cards with messages and photos.

You can even purchase and send a gift card from a selection of popular retailers. Postal customers have mixed reactions to the new services.

William Smith, a customer, says, “Definitely try it out because I don't have to worry about them picking it up at my door or at my home, I think it's a really great idea.”

Some folks prefer the old fashioned way.

Don Bennett, another customer, says, “I've been in the habit of coming to the post office close to 50 years it's just something I do routinely I enjoy seeing the people here good people that work at the post office.”

In a tough economy, it's one way to save time and money.

Deadlines for shipping packages to military overseas are December 11 for priority and first class and December 18 for express mail.

Domestic mail should be shipped no later than December 20 to ensure delivery.

For more information on shipping, click here.