When you're digging out today, don't neglect a path for the mail carrier and around the mailbox.

"Between Thanksgiving and the Christmas holiday, your letter carriers will have delivered nearly 19 billion letters, cards and packages," according to a news release from Tom Rizzo, District Communications Coordinator for the U.S. Postal Service. "But, in true New England style, Mother Nature beat Santa to the mailbox."

Rizzo says snow must be removed around roadside mail boxes and motorists should be alert for slow moving postal vehicles.

A cleared path -- and removal of icicles on snowy overhangs -- is necessary for doorstep delivery as well.

"A clear path to the mailbox is tops on our list for Santa again this year," Rizzo says.