Holiday Mailings - Almost Crunch Time!

Published on December 13, 2006 By foreverserenity In Misc

I really admire people who can get all their stuff together, presents - under the tree, gifts - wrapped, how about all gift shopping - done? In the mail? Good on you!

Me, not done yet. My tree is up, yep, did that more than a week ago. Bought stuff for our office holiday get together, even the surprised gift and I'm cooking my famous curried chicken and even a baked chicken dish! But under our tree is so empty right now. My kids are looking at me with doeful eyes!

I tell them, no couldn't be help this year because we had to take care of basics first. That's what happens when you live on a budget and if you've lived on a budget, yep, first things first!

So, I will be one of those people doing last minute shopping and joining the line at the post office to mail my cards and packages last minute. I'm seriously going to be early at the post office though. No way I'm going at lunch time or at the end of the day!

Because of the crunch time involved, I found out what the cut off dates will be and what not to do when sending anything by parcel post or even UPS this year. Of course on trusty MSN Money, they have all of these handy information!

For example, using a big box that will fit your gift.

Using stuffing, er, materials for cushioning.

I promise myself not to send any packages with one tiny item buried under loads of paper! What a waste of paper!

Putting another sheet of paper with mailing info of where the package is going to, just in case the lable gets lost! Forget the lable, hopefully the package doesn't!

Using paper tape or pressure sensitive tape to seal the boxes. No cellophane or masking tape! I like this tip a lot!

Totally remove any other addresses or markings from the outside of your package - makes sense to me!

Don't wrap it in paper. Well, looney me would have done just that!LOL! Great tip!

And no string! No, I wouldn't have done that one!

Most importantly, make sure the address it's going to is complete, zip code and all!

For more details and to note the dates for those crunch time mailings or deliveries, see the attached link!

Link

Comments

Dr Guy

on Dec 13, 2006

For mailings, I always buy on line and let them do the shipping. You would not believe the difference that UPS and FedEx charge you vs. Amazon.com!

Locamama

on Dec 13, 2006

Today I'm supposed to be getting on the ball and not procrastinating. So what am I doing? Wasting time on JU. Oops. Anyway I need to get my mom and Grandmas something off since they live out of state.

foreverserenity

on Dec 13, 2006

For mailings, I always buy on line and let them do the shipping. You would not believe the difference that UPS and FedEx charge you vs. Amazon.com!

Yes, that's a good idea too. I know, the cost of shipping will go up the closer it gets to Christmas.

Yep, like me, last minute shopping!

! At least you have a head start Amy!

uDigItTheMost

on Dec 14, 2006

My family normally receives my X-mas cards somewhere around a few days into the new year. I'm such a procrastinator that my family was very impressed when they got their cards early this year. I didn't have it in me to tell them they were last year's cards I never got around to mailing. :

Dr Guy

on Dec 14, 2006

I didn't have it in me to tell them they were last year's cards I never got around to mailing. ::

foreverserenity

on Dec 14, 2006

Reply By: uDigItTheMostPosted: Thursday, December 14, 2006My family normally receives my X-mas cards somewhere around a few days into the new year. I'm such a procrastinator that my family was very impressed when they got their cards early this year. I didn't have it in me to tell them they were last year's cards I never got around to mailing.

! Chris, don't feel too bad, having been where you are I quite understand!

Dodyas

on Dec 15, 2006

Reply By: Dr. GuyPosted: Wednesday, December 13, 2006For mailings, I always buy on line and let them do the shipping. You would not believe the difference that UPS and FedEx charge you vs. Amazon.com!

I do the same! And I know some places, like Amazon, offer free shipping on many items if the total is over 25 bucks! I usually stick with Amazon or Target because they are the only ones I have found that accept international credit cards.

dynamaso

on Dec 15, 2006

Heh, I only started my Christmas shopping yesterday. I've still got a few things to pick up and should be able to do this next week. As for Christmas cards, I've done all my international ones, but haven't even started on the local ones yet. Oh, well, procrastination is my middle name...

foreverserenity

on Dec 17, 2006

I usually stick with Amazon or Target because they are the only ones I have found that accept international credit cards.

That's great that Target does that! I love shopping there!

Good for you! At least you started!

foreverserenity

on Dec 28, 2006

Reply By: ElibaZEDXy(Anonymous User)Posted: Thursday, December 28, 2006Clinical

Where's my edit button so that I can delete this AW?!

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