August 15, 2022

Holiday season is upon us, which means family gatherings, office parties, and constantly checking your email for status updates on your most recent shipments. According to the U.S. Postal Service, nearly 15 billion pieces of mail and more than 900 million packages were delivered between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day in 2019. With that kind of volume, it’s important that you take extra precautions to make sure the gift you’re shipping arrives on time and without damage. Here are five quick tips for shipping holiday gifts.

 

  1. Choose the right box. Finding the right box is the surest way to protect your gift and ship it at the lowest cost. Many shipping centers, including PostalAnnex, offer a wide selection of corrugated boxes that are durable and preferred by all carriers. If you want to go the extra mile, use two boxes for the ultimate protection against damage. 
     
  2. Leave space for packing materials. There should be some space between the item you’re shipping and the walls of the box. Once the item is placed in the box, use packing materials such as bubble packaging or Pelaspan loosefill (commonly known as packaging peanuts or packaging popcorn) to fill in the remaining gaps in the box. These materials prevent shifting and potential damage from impact during the shipping process.
  3. Print addresses clearly and accurately. One of the most common mistakes during shipping is writing incorrect or illegible addresses. Take your time, double check the shipping address, and write clearly in print. If handwriting is not your strong suit, type and print the address. Don’t forget to include a return address. If for some reason the address you printed is incorrect, a return address allows the carrier to get the gift back to you as soon as possible. 
     
  4. Be aware of deadlines. Due to the large volume of shipments during the holiday season, each carrier establishes deadlines for their services. For example, if you’re using USPS Retail Ground, you must ship your gift by December 15 to ensure that it arrives at its destination by Christmas Day. These deadlines are especially sensitive in 2021 as a worker shortage and cargo backlogs could lead to more extreme delays than previous years. Check in with carriers to navigate these deadlines as soon as possible. 
     
  5. Shop for the best shipping rates. There are dozens of shipping services with dozens of factors that affect the price of shipping a gift. It can be confusing, so do the research, and you can find the right carrier and the right service for your specific shipment. The easiest way to shop for the best rate is visiting the PostalAnnex in your area. Our experts understand the game, and will put all of your options on the table. All you have to do is choose what fits your budget and shipping needs.

PostalAnnex also offers all the packing supplies you need this holiday season. For more information on holiday deadlines and other tips on holiday shipping, contact PostalAnnex or find a location nearest you.