Keep your holiday shipping in shape

With more families opting to stay home for the holidays, Santa might be the only person racking up frequent flier miles this season. While getting your holiday gifts delivered intact may seem daunting, with some tips from a certified packing professional, it’s easy to pack like a pro.

Think Inside and Outside the Box

“Always use a new box specifically designed for shipping,” advises The UPS Store franchisee Les Beare, who has 20 holiday shipping seasons under his Santa belt. “The more times a box is used, the more it loses its strength and protective quality. Plus, leftover shipping labels can create confusion about your package’s destination.”

Beare also advises never to exceed the maximum weight for the box, which is usually printed on the bottom. Too much weight can be a recipe for disaster.

The Inside Scoop

According to Beare, a common mistake people make is to underestimate the amount of internal packaging necessary to protect items. For the less experienced, he offers these tips:

• Don’t use crumpled newspaper, grocery bags, or towels to protect gifts. Instead …

• Give your gifts a cushy ride by wrapping each item in bubble cushioning surrounded by at least two inches of packaging peanuts. (Think “green”: After the holidays, those pesky packaging peanuts can be recycled at some shipping locations.)

• Fragile objects such as electronics, ceramics and artwork require special packaging, such as added cushioning or a double box.

Finishing Touches

• Remove batteries from toys or electronics to avoid leakage or suspicious sounds. Many electronic devices contain lithium batteries that can cause serious problems if not properly packed.

• Don’t forget to include a label inside the package with both the destination and your return addresses.

Sealing the Deal

• To seal a box securely, don’t use masking tape, cellophane tape, duct tape, string or brown paper. Instead, use strong packaging tape at least two inches wide to fully reinforce the seams on your box.

When in Doubt …

“There’s no shame in asking for professional guidance,” advises Beare. “Over the years, we’ve seen and met our fair share of shipping challenges.”

It’s All in the Timing

When it comes to shipping, time is of the essence. According to Beare, “The longer you procrastinate, the longer the lines become.” Planning ahead gives you more shipping options and could save you money. He also advises customers to use a shipping option which provides a tracking number and the ability to track a package all the way to its destination.

• The busiest shipping week is expected to be December 15 to 19.

• Most ground packages require five days or less to reach their destination. If you’re shipping coast to coast, it may take longer.

• If shipping internationally or to military personnel overseas, contact The UPS Store location nearest you to determine the best date for on-time delivery.

For last-minute shippers (aka procrastinators), here’s how to get your package to its destination by Christmas Eve:

• Friday, Dec. 19: UPS 3-Day Select®

• Monday, Dec. 22: UPS 2nd Day Air®

• Tuesday, Dec. 23: UPS Next Day Air®

“When you take the time to properly pack and ship your holiday gifts, your thoughtfulness and best wishes will shine through,” says Beare.

Recipe for Savory Shipping

As visions of sugarplums dance in their heads, gift-givers across the country will be sending tasty treats to loved ones and business associates this holiday season. When you want to send homemade holiday goodies, a few packing tricks will keep your cookies from crumbling.

•Choose Foods Wisely. Send items that will travel well. Avoid items that can’t withstand heat or other extreme temperatures, such as chocolate or foods that require refrigeration.

•Shape Matters. Use a coffee can or a potato chip canister as a cookie cutter and then use the same container to ship the cookies; they will stack perfectly and won’t crumble.

•Seal It and Send It Fast. Seal all perishable items in an airtight container before packing and fill any air gaps with squares of bubble cushioning to soften the vibration. Consider sending perishable foods via an expedited shipping methods.

Heading Home for the Holidays?

With many airlines now charging for each checked bag, you can ease your traveling burdens by shipping luggage and gifts ahead.

Some shipping stores specialize in packing odd, oversized items, such as skis and fishing poles — items travelers would prefer to have waiting at their destination rather than lugging them around an airport.

You can potentially save time and money by shipping your luggage from a shipping center which also lessens the frustrations of dealing with luggage at the airport. That way, when mom greets you at your destination, you’ll be able to hug her with both arms!

All materials courtesy of The UPS Store