The holidays are right around the corner, and the United States Postal Service is “stepping up its game” to ensure that its customers’ packages will be sent in time.

USPS announced Friday that it will be delivering packages seven days a week until Christmas Day in several Alabama location, including Selma.

“The Postal Service ships more packages to more places than anyone else,” District Manager Mary Sullivan said. “During the holidays, we’re raising the bar with enhanced tracking and Sunday delivery providing excellent service and reliability that only Santa can compete with.”

Because there is continued e-commerce growth and improvements to its Priority Mail product line, the Postal Service is expecting double-digit growth in its package business this holiday season.

Likely to be in the range of 450 to 470 million packages, the growth is equivalent to roughly 12 to 14 percent growth over the same period in 2013.

“Every household in America relies on us to get their packages home for the holidays, and we take great pride in taking on that responsibility,” Sullivan said. “We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to deliver for our customers.”

USPS also announced Friday the recommended deadlines for its customers looking to have their holiday mail and packages delivered by Christmas.

Dec. 2 is the deadline for First-Class Mail International, the mailing service’s most affordable international service for postcards, letters and flats, and Priority Mail International, a service of six to 10 business days.

When it comes to Priority Mail Express International, a service of three-to five business days, the deadline is Dec. 10.

For Standard Post, a service of two to eight business days, the packages should be sent by Dec. 15.

Global Express Guaranteed, with service of one to three business days, has a recommended shipping date of Dec. 17.

Domestic First-Class Mail and Priority Mail, which both carry a service of one to three business days, has a recommended deadline of Dec. 20.

For Priority Mail Express, an overnight domestic service, Dec. 23 is the target date for those interested in having their items delivered by Christmas.

Customers can also skip the trip to the Post Office and take advantage of convenient online shipping this holiday season.

The USPS has online services, such as its’ Click-N-Ship, that allow customers to print shipping labels, order free Priority Mail boxes, purchase postage and request free next-day Package Pickup.

For more information on how to avoid holiday mailing and shipping hassles, visit usps.com.