Last minute deliveries by USPS and UPS

Wednesday, December 24th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

While many children wait for Santa Claus, many parents spent the day watching for a last minute package - hoping it would be delivered in time. News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan has the story.

For letter carrier Larry Garcia, it's the 19th year that he's been someone's last chance to get a Christmas package.

The post office hit it's peak delivery day about a week ago. They have to deliver cards and packages - and even have some express mail packages to be delivered on Christmas Day.

Both the Post Office and UPS say it appears more people are shopping online. That's more convenient for people shopping, but it creates a pileup of packages that need to be delivered in time for Christmas.

UPS delivered 300 million packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Driver Eric Link delivered a truckload of packages on Christmas Eve - he's seen his share of fruit boxes too.

With the Christmas shipping season all but over - it's now up to Santa to deliver everything else.