A Guide To Shipping Gifts

Five tips to prepare your holiday packages with ease.

If you’re planning to ship gifts this holiday season, the time to start planning is right now! We’ve got everything you need to know for successful delivery to everyone on your list.

1. Ship Early 

Shipping takes time on a good day, but busy post offices and slowed deliveries mean the time to send your gifts is as soon as possible. Start planning now and send your gifts out today through December 1st. Pro Tip: Write "Don't open before Christmas!" on the parcel in the event it arrives early.  

2. Know Shipping Cost

With package season at its peak, be mindful of increased shipping rates. Check-in with your local mail carrier to limit any surprise charges and remember additional fees for international shipping. Pro Tip: Pack light items to lower the cost or separate your gifts into multiple boxes. 

3. Prepare The Package

Keep gifts safe from damage with layers of bubble wrap and tape—box up fragile items with packing peanuts for extra protection and add festive tissue for a bit of holiday magic. 

4. Look-Up Liquid Rules

Not all liquids are considered safe to ship by the post office, so make sure any that you plan to send are on the approved list. If they’re good to go, make sure they’re tightly sealed and consider sending in a zipper bag for extra protection from spills. You can find a list of restricted items here.

5. Double Check Addresses

Be sure to double-check the address for your recipient. Mail can get lost —without proper details, it may not make it to its destination. Pro Tip: Be sure to look up the zip code if you aren't positive, and always include a return address.