Send Packages for Christmas

Before you send a package of Christmas joy to relatives or friends this Christmas, here are some frustration saving, time tested, helpful packaging tips

Steps

 * 1) Prepare your item. Examine your gift – is it sturdy, fragile, box-like or have small moving pieces? Use bubble wrap to cushion any odd angles to make them less fragile during transit. Is your item shallow or hollow inside, like a vase or bowl, fill that space to make it more dense – packing peanuts, bubble wrap or firmly crumpled unprinted newsprint all work![[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Choose the best box. Use a new, sturdy cardboard box that’s a few inches larger than your gift on all sides to allow for plenty of cushioning. If reusing a box, make sure it’s still strong enough to stand up to shipping (no torn flaps, no holes or corner dents, no water-damage, etc.). And be sure to remove all old shipping labels.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Cushioning is key. Protect your gifts by using at least 1 in layers (preferably 2 inches) of cushioning around the item – top, bottom and all four sides.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Wrap each individual item separately when packing more than one item in the same box. Consider sending more than one package if one item might compromise the integrity of something more fragile.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Fragile Gift? Got a super-breakable item to ship? Use two boxes. Cushion your item with at least three inches of packing peanuts or other cushioning material, and seal it in a box. Place that box within a second, slightly larger box, with another layer of cushioning. All that added padding is added protection for your fragile item.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Remove batteries from electronic devices and wrap separately. Secure them so that they are not "floating" around. You may even consider taping them to the inside panel of the box and leaving a note on the gift so that the batteries don't accidentally get tossed into the garbage.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 7) Pack In the Address. Sometimes winter weather can strike and remove shipping labels. Paperwork can get lost from pouches. Just in case, always put an extra shipping label, business card, or letterhead with the shipper and recipient’s address information inside your box before sealing things up.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Shake the box to see if there is enough cushioning. Start with a gentle shake and continuing to increase the intensity to the point that you think it would be handled by someone who doesn't know what's inside and is under pressure to get as many packages moving along as possible. If items move, add more cushioning.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 9) Seal It Tight. Keeping winter elements out of your box is easy. Just seal all the flaps and seams using proper packing tape. No duct tape or masking tape![[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 9.jpg|center]]
 * 10) Remember to make the shape of the letter “H” when securing corners, flaps and edges together.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 10.jpg|center]]
 * 11) Keep the gift wrap Inside the Box. Don’t "wrap" your shipping box. We admire that you wrap your gifts with care and thought, but ribbon, bows and wrapping paper can get caught in sorting machines! If you want your gift to be wrapped, wrap it first, then place it in the shipping box.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 11.jpg|center]]
 * 12) Mark packages "Fragile" in large print or using a "FRAGILE" shipping label on the outside of the package when sending items that could be damaged or broken.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 12.jpg|center]]
 * 13) Label It Right. One of the best ways to ensure your package gets to its destination on time is with proper labeling. When using a shipping label, airbill, or airway bill, fill it out completely and accurately. When using a shipping label, press it firmly to make sure it adheres to the shipping box. When using a packing list envelope, make sure the peel-off strip has been removed and the flap is firmly sealed. Place the shipping labels or packing slip envelope on the largest flat continuous surface of the box, avoiding any area that has a bend or place where the box is not complete like a seam or flap.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 13.jpg|center]]
 * 14) Think about using a different destination. When ordering something online, consider sending the gift to where you work, or to a relative, friend or trusted neighbor. Obviously make sure they are going to be at home and not out of town.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 14.jpg|center]]
 * 15) Don’t Miss a Christmas Moment. When in doubt, contact the pros. Your gifts need to be ready, as much as possible, prior to shipping to ensure on-time delivery to their destination. certain gifts are just too precious to trust to just anyone. Your gift might be a really odd shape or have unusual dimensions.[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 15.jpg|center]]
 * 16) Request "A Signature Upon Delivery". Most packages are sent without needing a signature. If you’re shipping something of high value – or you just want to be sure items aren’t left on a door step or out front of a residence or building – make sure that a signature is mandatory for packages to be released. The shipper or the recipient can make this request[[Image:Send Packages for Christmas Step 16.jpg|center]]

Sources and Citations

 * http://www.interplas.com/packaging-shipping-supplies - Source of information, shared with permission