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Shopping at the post office deserves a stamp of approval
Shopping at the post office deserves a stamp of approval
Thursday, November 17, 2005
By PATRICIA CORRIGAN
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
A holiday boutique is open in a neighborhood near you - and while you're there, you can buy some postage stamps or mailing envelopes.
We speak of the U.S. Post Office, where Christmas ornaments, holiday greeting cards, plush bears and framed stamp artwork all are for sale. Looking for stocking stuffers? Check out the lapel pins and refrigerator magnets.
You say you've never thought of your post office as a one-stop shopping destination?
"Over the years we've had a wide range of products that we've sold, but we've tried to narrow it down to stamp-related items," said Burt St. John, spokesman for the St. Louis District of the Postal Service.
New for the holidays is a box of four glass Santa ornaments, which sell for $12.99. The 3-inch-high ornaments are similar to the Santas depicted on the new holiday stamp.
The holiday greeting card set ($7.99) consists of 20 embossed and foil-stamped cards, all based on this year's holiday stamps.
Some postal branches may still stock recent big sellers, such as the 9-inch plush bears that go for $10. Some bears come with T-shirts emblazoned with stamps, and others are available with popular stamps reproduced on the front of their colorful fur.
Also for sale are magnets of the popular kitten and puppy stamps ($2.99), small flag-theme tins (two for $6.99), flag lapel pins ($2.99), a heavy canvas tote bag depicting six Black Heritage Women of Achievement ($12.99), an American flag passport holder ($16.99) and a package of postcards depicting the "Love" stamps ($3.99).
"The biggest demand this year has been for our Lewis and Clark merchandise," said St. John.
"We've found that people like to have collectibles that feature high-profile stamps, so we try to find some that meet our customers' interest. Also, the law mandates that we can't make a profit, and this type of merchandise helps keep postal rates in check."
Gifts from the U.S. Postal Service are available online at usps.com/. Click on The Postal Store.
The Web site also offers information on holiday shipping.
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