EmilyG please PM me! I need to get in touch with you and your PM box is full!
In my experience (USA), the Post Office clerk will quote you the highest rate (Super Duper Instant Delivery in Technicolor) first. There are cheaper rates, but you may have to ask. At my P.O., the customer can see a screen showing the options. I believe the “normal” rate is called Priority Mail. It’s as reasonably priced as you’re going to get, and the price includes tracking and insurance.
Currently the USPS is doing a good job of delivering packages within a couple of days. I actually prefer their service to FedEx or UPS.
OK, I have one gift left to put together, wrap it up and post away! I’m hoping to send my giftee’s package out nlt Friday.
As an aside, I’d like to ask a quick question; If you’re my giftee would you want me to send you the tracking number so you can wait with breathless anticipation as it slowwly makes it’s way to you and thereby ruining who it’s from a little prematurely or wait in the darkness? 
**kayT **- I tried sending you a message, but my SDMB inbox still has too many messages for me to do anything.
I just got your package but haven’t opened it.
Can you email me at [removed by Bone] ? Thank you. 
Thanks EmilyG. I sent you an e-mail. If you want you could ask an admin to delete your e-mail from your post.
Got your email, sent you an email, and contacted the admins about my own post. Thanks 
Just dropped off my package at the Post Office. I’m not exactly sure how long it will take to get from here to there, but we’ve got three weeks, so fingers crossed!
Not to keep flogging this deceased equine (which I appear to be doing), but the $22 quote from the mini-post office clerk was Priority Mail (not Express or registered or anything). The $11.75 that I printed from my own computer was likewise Priority Mail.
I think I’m going to call the local Real Post Office and rat out the mini-post office.
Wow do I feel terrible.
Someone has already gotten their package and I haven’t even BOUGHT MY STUFF YET. Ugh. I’m a terrible person. Gotta find time!
Yes, I think I’d want the tracking number. It would “ruin” the surprise of knowing who it’s from but I think watching it slowly making its way to me would make up for it.
Someone has a box of fun headed their way as of today. I sent mine via UPS.
Just as an aside, while discussing postage, my wife and I had two visitors from Australia last week. We live in Indiana (USA). We took them shopping at an outlet mall and they absolutely loved the prices here. Afterward they wanted to ship their loot back to the land of Aussies as they have more stops on their trip so we boxed it all up and took it to the UPS Store with us today and shipped it for them. The grand total was almost $1200 to ship the two boxes to Australia. I about died, but paid for it anyway, and when I let the two ladies know they weren’t shocked at all. They did save a lot at the outlet and got quite a haul, but I was blown away when I saw (and paid) the bill right there on the spot. Good thing I had some money in my bank account to cover it all. I had no idea it would cost that much.
I shipped off a box to a still secret someone today.
I love thinking about them reading that and not knowing it is heading their way! It could be any of you…
Waiting for FedEx to bring stuff so I can ship it to my recipient…
drumming fingers on desk…
One parcel sent on a long trip South!
Sent from the weird little post office I pass on the way in to college; it’s in the entrance foyer of an insurance office… That’s the first excuse I’ve had to go in there.
Got my package! Will post details later.
Sadly, my package I sent has been stuck somewhere since the end of November. 
Don’t know what’s going on. Maybe I can phone someone about it?
OK, I just got back from my cruise, and my recipient is getting a loverly gift from Aruba! It’ll be mailed this weekend.
Got my package!!! Sooo excited! Don’t know who sent it 'cause I don’t see a username on the package. Don’t want to open it until I get mine sent. But I wanted to make sure that the sendee knew that it got here safe and sound. Goes back to furiously working on project…
Are you all sure that I can’t just send a kitten? I have one right here – climbing the Christmas tree. I will put a blanket in the box and some treats and lots of air holes…
Fine by me.
Oh, go on and open it! You know you want to!
And, more importantly, WE want you to! (You clearly have your priorities backward. :dubious: )