If you still need to ship gifts to out-of-town family and friends, you only have a few days left to ship in time for Christmas. However, don’t let the holiday rush cause you to make common packing and shipping mistakes. Below are some hints to help you get your cards and packages to their destinations intact and on time for Christmas.
Use a new box for shipping. Used boxes won’t have the same crush protection. Also, make sure to fill the box completely with packing peanuts. If you leave empty spaces, the box flaps can cave in, resulting in an opened package in transit.
Use professional-grade packaging tape. Duct tape, masking tape, painter’s tape, and cellophane tape don’t hold a strong enough seal in the shipping environment, especially in colder weather. If you use something other than packing tape to seal your package, you run the risk of the box opening and the contents falling out.
Take batteries out of toys and electronics. Keep them from getting crushed, and cover the terminals to avoid short-circuiting.
Send perishables in an air tight container. No one wants to receive stale and broken baked goods. Fill in any gaps inside the container you package your treats in, and then package it for shipping.
Don't heistate to ask questions. The people behind the counter have knowledge and experience from working in the packing and shipping industry, so they know some tips and tricks to help your packages arrive safely. By taking their advice, your gifts are more likely to arrive undamaged.
If you’d rather leave the shipping and packing to the professionals, visit the AIM Mail Center nearest you and let the experts do the work for you. The friendly staff members will package your gifts to help ensure safe arrival, and they can compare shipping rates for UPS, FedEx and USPS to determine which service best fits your needs.