Holiday dilemma: Is it better to ship those gifts, or carry on plane?

Byline: Diane Lade, Staff Writer

Dec. 12--Revelers spending the holidays out of town might need a calculator to tackle a new dilemma this year: Is it better to send your gifts through the mail or check them as luggage? With almost all major airlines charging new baggage fees this holiday season, travel experts suggest it's better to ship your gifts in most cases. But not all.

Those who do choose mail services will have plenty of company. Monday is the busiest mailing day of the year, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Spokeswoman Debbie Fetterly said 2 million pieces of mail, including 600,000 cards, should move through processing centers in …