The U.S. Postal Service is bracing for its yearly rush.

The agency says that Monday will mark its busiest mailing day of the year, with more than 640 million cards, letters and packages expected to be processed.

Around Chicago, the Postal Service forecasts that more than 8.3 million cards, letters and packages were to be sent off by local customers and processed on Monday.

The Postal Service says it is delivering seven days a week in the Chicago area, and that includes on Christmas Day.

To ensure delivery by Christmas, greeting cards, packages and letters must be sent by next Saturday.