DENVER (CBS4) – Once all of those online purchases are completed after Cyber Monday each year, there’s a surge in activity for mail carriers across the country.

This year will be no different, according to USPS corporate spokesman David Rupert, who spoke about the impact on the CBS4 Morning News on Monday.

“We’re ready. We’ve got our vehicles gassed, our mail handlers have been sorting packages, our carriers are pulling up their shoes and tying their laces,” Rupert said. “We expect a big season. Eighteen billion pieces of mail are going to be processed between now and New Year’s Day.”

Rupert said all the cyber activity has led to a major increase in parcel deliveries in recent years. Of that 18 billion mail items, 365 million will be parcels, which is a 20 percent jump from previous years.

Rupert suggested that those looking to avoid a line can go to USPS.com and print postage and pay for postage there.

“While you’re there you can even request that a mail carrier come to your house and pick up your mail,” Rupert said.