Top Tips for Shipping Christmas Gifts
, by Maeve Reidy, 4 min reading time
We all know what it can be like when it comes to Christmas time - wanting to get the cards in the post at the right time to avoid the late doormat drops days after the 25th December. Here's a few tips to make sure your parcels arrive at their destination in plenty of time ...
We all know what it can be like when it comes to Christmas time; wanting to get the cards in the post at the right time to avoid the late doormat drops days after the 25th December.
These days, many people have families and friends who live in different countries who want to show how much they care by sending a Christmas present.
There are deadlines for shipping companies though, to ensure your parcel gets to the correct destination in time for the holiday season, so remember to plan ahead; be organised and ship early. An Post has a handy Christmas Posting Guide that can help. Couriers may have different dates, so its worth double checking.
Packaging is vital though, to make sure that Christmas toy for your nephew doesn’t get broken or that wrapped perfume for your mum doesn’t spill.
So here are some top tips to avoid any parcel disasters at the other end…
Protect, Protect, Protect!
One of the first things you should consider is what protective packaging you'll need to use. At this time of year, couriers and shippers are extremely busy and don't necessarily have the time to inspect each and every parcel they handle. So the jumper you got your brother may be handled in exactly the same way as the china ornament you got your granny! Additionally, you need to remember that just because you bought something in a box at the shops, it is not necessarily suitably boxed to be shipped. Retail Packaging, as it is called, is primarily designed to be eye-catching, and can comfortably make it's way from the shop to your bag to your home. It's not designed to be shipped abroad without any protection! Bubble wrap and/or shredded cardboard will ensure your gift arrives as a gift ... and not a bag of broken bits!
Boxing Clever!
To keep all your protective packaging, um, protecting your gift, you'll need a sturdy cardboard box. All the boxes sold at Box Depot are industrial grade, so whichever size box you choose, you can be guaranteed it is strong enough for shipping! And don't forget to use strong sealing tape! Receiving a squashed, torn box can often take the joy out of receiving a gift! If you're not sure what size box you need, you are always welcome to phone Box Depot and we can advise you on the best solutions.
Knock It Off
If you’re sending toys or electrical appliances, make sure you switch them off and take the batteries out so that nothing turns on during travel. This can cause security concerns with any beeping noises or ticking and could lead to your package being destroyed.
Peace of Mind
If you’re shipping anything valuable or expensive you might want to consider getting insurance. Take pictures of the items you send so you have proof if something is ruined, even if only for your own peace of mind.
Where's it going, again?!
Every so often you hear feel-good stories of An Post delivering letters and parcels to "Paddy, Green Gate beside Hawthorn Hedge, Sligo" or something equally vague. Make sure you have the correct address! If you don’t know the eircode don’t just guess! Even if you have the person’s name, house number, street name and town, your package may still get lost. It would be best to double check beforehand and be safe than sorry. It's worth remembering that Paddy may have been sitting by his green gate beside the hawthorn hedge in Sligo for years before receiving his parcel!!
Label It!
OK, so it is a little bit over cautious but who cares when it comes down to getting your loved one’s Christmas present shipped out on time. Include an extra address label on the inside of the package, so the shipper will know where to deliver the items if the box falls apart, breaks or if the outside label falls off. Putting a return address on all labels, or at a minimum your Eircode, also backs you up should any problems occur, and then at least it will come back to you.
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