5 Shipping and Packing Tips for a Stress-free Holiday Season
Posted on Tue, Nov 24, 2009
Christmas is around the corner. You've bought tons of gifts for friends and family. All you need now is to pack up your presents and ship them, right?
Wrong. With so many people sending gifts across the country, you need to think strategically about when, how and where you'll send. Keep reading for solid tips on avoiding shipping headaches this holiday season. 
1. Go with an experienced shipping company. Use an experienced packing company to pack and ship your holiday presents. How sad to buy a lovely vase and have it damaged during shipping. Packing professionals will know how to handle your delicate gifts.
If you are shipping family heirlooms, always let an experienced mover or shipping company pack and ship these for you. Some things are worth paying for, and irreplaceable items surely fall into this category.
2. Send items early, even if you are taking a plane. Having your gifts arrive separately spares you the hassle of carrying items through the airport. You also avoid the extra baggage fees. Many companies will pick up, pack, gift wrap and ship your packages for you. One less worry!!
An added bonus? Family members will wait with anticipation when they see a box of gifts arrive at their doorstep.
3. Ship early, ship early, ship early. This cannot be stressed enough times. If you are looking at saving money, you do not want to wait and ship until the last minute. Overnight shipping is more expensive, as is two day and three day shipping. Ground shipping is reliable, and not nearly as expensive.
The major shipping companies list the last day you should ship and hope to get your package there on time, but,starting the day after Thanksgiving guarantees by the major shipping companies are adjusted or suspended until after Christmas. This is due to the weather and volume of packages.
4. Use UPS, Fed Ex and DHL. With these companies, you can track your package from the time it leaves the store until the time it is delivered. The satisfaction of knowing exactly when it has arrived at its final destination is great.
5. Ship suitcases before you travel. Suitcase shipping starts to pick up this time of year - and with good reason. With crowded airports and extra fees imposed by the airlines, customers now request luggage pick up at their home or office and delivery at their final destination. Pick up service for your luggage can also be arranged for the trip home.
When it comes to Christmas and holiday shipping, plan ahead, ship early and go with an experienced shipper. If you can't use the tips above and you find yourself scrambling at the last minute, expect to pay more for a gift that may not even arrive on time.
If we can answer any of your shipping questions, please call us in Houston at 713-266-1450, or visit us at www.pack-n-send.com.
Happy Holidays!