How To Protect Your Christmas Presents As They’re Being Shipped
Posted December 5, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Christmas is here and even if you can’t get away, chances are a few presents will be winging to parts far off.
But if you can’t carry them there, how can you ensure they’ll make it unscathed?
It takes a little planning and a lot of care, but it’s not hard.
A lot depends on how you send it and what’s inside the box you’re addressing to your Aunt Fanny in Moose Jaw or your Uncle Rudolph In Oshkosh.
“When you’re shipping a fragile item, be sure to use bubble wrap with the bubble side in and just wrap it up nice and tight,” suggests Purolator’s Jamie Wright. “Using packaging peanuts, they weigh less than paper, and in the long run you’ll save on your shipping cost.”
Weight is important because the heavier the package is, the more expensive it is to ship or mail. “Once you break the five-pound barrier, it increases quite substantially by the pound,” Wright notes.
All major couriers will automatically insure items that are $100 or less. Anything more and it’s an additional cost. But to make sure something expensive gets there the way it left, it might just be worth it.
Here are some other packing suggestions that can save you time at the shippers and money before you send anything.
Use A Sturdy Box
People cheap out on the box they use to send the most expensive items. Don’t. Get something sturdy that will stand the rigours of transport. Use Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap to protect your investment. Using newspapers or tissue isn’t recommended, since both will compress when the object is moved.
Seal It Right
It doesn’t much matter how well protected your gift is if the box opens up in transit. Experts suggest brown or clear packing tape is best. Duct tape is a no-no for most shippers and cords or string can get caught in processing machinery. And household tape doesn’t stay closed well enough.
Gift Wrapping
It probably won’t survive on its own. Wrap your package in kraft paper and leave anything fancy inside the box.
Write Legibly
It doesn’t matter how you pack your present if they don’t know where it goes. Be sure to write legibly. Also put a sheet with the address inside the box, in case the label becomes smudged or obscured.
Where It Is
You may not think much about this, but pack your box so that whatever’s inside will be at least two feet away from the box wall. That way nothing can break if it hits one of the sides.
Shipping dates:
At this time of year, the sooner you get something in the mail or to a courier the better. Here’s a look at the shipping dates.
Canada Post:
Canada: Dec. 11th
U.S.: Dec. 9th
UPS/Purolator
Canada & U.S.: Dec. 21 st
Overseas: (depending on destination): Dec. 15-18th
For more information, check out the following websites:
