This final note in which the spirit of the season clearly escapes the government of the United States.

Specifically, the U.S. Postal Service. Yes, technically privatized … but regulators said first class postage is going to go up in the New Year.

$0.03 to be precise. Or 6.5 percent of the price of a stamp.

$0.49 is what you’ll have to pay for a Forever Stamp starting Jan. 26. So mail your thank you notes early.