3 tricks for shipping gifts without breaking the bank
Being away from your family for the holidays can be tough, but sending gifts to your loved ones afar can be even tougher. Figuring out how to ship back gifts can be costly, time-consuming, and a bit stressful. We’ve collected some simple Christmas gift tips that will make the process of sending cheer to your loved ones a little easier, whether you are across the state, country, or globe.
Consider Shipping with Retailers
Online behemoths like Amazon offer the ability to ship your gifts directly to the recipient at little to no cost. Since locations like Amazon offer free shipping year round, and many retailers offer free shipping during the holiday season, it can save you a lot of money on sending gifts across the country. Most retailers will also gift wrap for a nominal fee to cut down on the fuss and muss of shopping during the holiday season.
Shop Around for the Best Shipping
Shipping costs differ from carrier to carrier, and from package to package. UPS and FedEx often offer the best pricing on large items, while the USPS offers better pricing on small shipments, particularly those that will fit into a Priority box or bag. Do the research before heading to the carrier so you are well-informed.
Ship Early
Shipping your items early can help save on costs. The longer you can allow for the gifts to arrive, the lower your price tag will be, especially if you ship via the United States Postal Service. During the holiday season, it is best to allow 10-14 day for shipping across the country if you plan to use standard shipping. High volume can lead to longer wait times, but the early birds get the best prices, in this case.
Buy Insurance for High Priced Items
The high volume of the holiday season can lead to packages getting misplaced or lost in transit. When shipping high-value items, it is best to purchase insurance for the items you are shipping, so if something does happen you can file a claim for a lost, stolen or damaged item. When shipping something like jewelry, it is also best to put it in a larger box than necessary. A box that is at least 7 inches by 4 inches is recommended. These boxes are harder to lose track of in the hustle of shipping and are most likely to make it to your destination unscathed.
Package Gifts Together
Pack as many gifts together as possible for your family and friends. If you have a trusted relative who can dole out presents, ship all the items, in a single box to that individual. You will save on the cost of shipping to multiple locations or in multiple boxes. If you do this, be sure to clearly mark who the gift is intended for on the outside of the wrapping paper. Forgo fancy tags, and instead use stickers with a permanent marker to make the passing out of gifts easy if you won’t be in town for the event.
At this time of the year, there is no shortage of Christmas gift tips, but very few people discuss the process of shipping gifts afar. Shipping costs, if not watched carefully, can easily break your spending budget, and add hundreds of dollars to your Christmas spending. With these Christmas gift tips, you are sure to save on shipping and keep your holiday budget intact.
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