Get your holiday packages packed up and ready to ship fast

The other day we looked at how to organize your holiday shipping. Now, in case you’re running behind, here’s a super fast primer on getting those packages packed up and ready to ship this weekend.

Huge irregular gifts: If you’re sending a big gift, one that won’t fit neatly in a square box, (skateboard, non-breakable large dishes, etc) place the item in the closest fitting box you can find and pack all the space around it with lots and lots of packing material. Crumpled newspaper works best with the least fuss and work, but corrugated cardboard or foam on all sides will protect your gift from shock and breakage.

Gifts of food: The best tip is pack and ship FAST. Once it’s packed get it to UPS and ship priority. Gifts of food need extra special prep such as…

Place small baked goods – cookies, cupcakes, homemade candies – in an airtight container then surround the container with foam or bubble wrap.

For gingerbread houses you really should ship smaller ones. You’re messing with fate to ship a large one. Cover your actual house with plastic wrap or wax paper then place in a box that you’ve lined with foam. Take that first box, place it in a larger box, and stuff the space between boxes with padding. This creates a cushy, less breakable ride for your house.

For meat, cheese, fish, etc: First of all, these are hellish to pack. Make sure you can’t just send something else. If you’re determined, you’ll need a foam cooler and dry ice or gel cool packs. (see no fun). You need to achieve a deep packing method, which means you place the food item in the cooler with wrapped dry ice or the gel cooler packs if you’re sending cheese or other must stay chilled foods. Place a corrugated double strength box above the food and ice. Secure the cooler lid. Place the entire cooler in another box and wrap twice with packing paper.

ALWAYS label food items “this side up” and “perishable.”

Food mailing is almost an extreme sport – for many more tips read the Mail Order Food Safety tips sheet from the USDA.

Breakable gifts: Conside if it’s worth it, sending a breakable gift. If so, get packing…

For basic breakables like vases, dishes (not china), ceramics, and so on, you’ll need to stuff and wrap. Stuff any hollow opening with bubble wrap then place in a box and add plenty of padding and packing material around the object.

China or delicate porcelain – use acid free tissue to wrap the gift, then wrap in bubble wrap, then place in a box and add plenty of padding and packing material around the object.

Jewels – place pieces in one of the following; a plastic bag, a lined small box (for the lining use soft cotton filler or other extra soft fabric), or for an item like a pin, place it in a small fabric sack. Then place the piece into a tissue or earth-friendly packing popcorn filled box.

There you go. I hope you aren’t trying to get gifts off this weekend, but if so, maybe this will help. Good luck.

[image via stock.xchng]