GREG KAHN / Daily News

Michelle Morales of Naples stacks Christmas gifts into boxes outside of the main Naples post office on Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, on what is suppose to be the busiest mailing day of the year. The United States Post Office estimates nationally more than 270 million cards, letters and packages would be shipped on Monday. John Terrazas, postmaster for the main post office in Naples, predicted that thousands of cards would pass through their facility. "Today, it's going to be all day, " said Terrazas about the heavy flow of customers sending holiday gifts.

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It was more business than usual for the U.S. Postal Service.

Monday was the busiest mail day of the season, said Yvonne Kelley, customer relations supervisor for the Naples postal branch, calling the scene “crazy.”

“There’s a long line, but people are moving through pretty good,” Kelly said.

The last day to send first class and priority mail within the U.S. that will arrive by Christmas is Thursday. The last day for guaranteed delivery for express mail is Saturday.

The Postal Service is expecting 20 billion pieces of mail to come through its offices between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Kelley said.

In Lee County, Bonita Springs Postmaster Richard Barber said four tractor-trailer loads of incoming parcels were delivered to Bonita Springs addresses Monday, and five tractor-trailer loads were mailed out.

Barber said packages sent between now and Dec. 21 should be mailed Priority Mail in order to reach their destination by Christmas. Packages mailed after Dec. 21 should be sent Express Mail for Christmas delivery.

“Parcel post should not even be a thought at this point,” he said.

On Friday and Saturday between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., a postal van will be parked at Coconut Point mall in Estero to accommodate shoppers with mailing needs.