The holiday season is officially here, which means the annual rush to get gifts shipped on time has begun. Whether you’re mailing packages across the state or across the country, a little planning can save you money, prevent damage, and ensure your gifts arrive exactly as intended. Here are the most important tips to keep in mind this year.
1. Be Smart About Reusing Boxes
We all love to reuse boxes when possible...it’s eco-friendly and can save a few dollars. But it’s not always the right choice.
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✔️ When you can reuse a box:
- The item is not fragile
- The item is not valued over $100
- The box is clean, sturdy, and not previously crushed or torn
❌ When you should not reuse a box:
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- The item is breakable (glass, electronics, collectibles, ceramics, etc.)
- The item has declared value over $100
- The box is soft, worn, overly taped, or has compromised corners
Why this matters:
If the box is reused and ends up damaged in transit, the shipping carrier can deny your declared value claim, even if you paid an additional fee. It doesn’t matter how well you packed the inside, if the outer box fails, the claim is void.
For fragile or higher-value items, always choose a new, certified shipping box.
2. Size Matters
A common mistake during the holidays is grabbing any spare box and filling it with tons of packing material. But carriers charge based on dimensional weight; which means you pay for the size of the box as much as the weight of what’s inside.
If the box is too big, you’re paying for empty space.
Sometimes buying a properly sized box for a few dollars can save you $10, $15, or even more on the actual shipping cost.
Rule of thumb:
- Choose the smallest box that fits your item safely
- Make sure there’s enough room for cushioning; but not excessive empty space
- Avoid irregular, oversized boxes that trigger additional surcharges
A well-sized box = the best price + proper protection.
3. Ship Early to Avoid Delays
Holiday shipping volumes go up every year, but weather events, staffing shortages, and transportation delays can make things unpredictable. The earlier you ship, the better.
Recommended cutoff for East-to-West Coast Ground Shipping:
If you want your package to travel cross-country via ground and make it in time for the holidays, it should be shipped on or before December 7 for Hanukkah and December 11 for Christmas. After that date, you may need to upgrade to air services to guarantee arrival.
Even local and regional deliveries may experience delays the closer we get to Christmas, so the best strategy is always:
Ship early. Ship smart. Ship prepared.
4. Final Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Shipping
- Always cushion fragile items on all sides.
- Remove or black out all old labels if reusing a box.
- Seal with strong packing tape, not scotch tape.
- Double-check the shipping address, especially apartment numbers.
- Keep your receipt and tracking number until delivery is confirmed.
