Many of us have family and friends that live in another state. Mailing a package becomes another consideration when gift giving. You have spent your time and money on a nice gift, but now you have to ship it. We all know just how expensive that can be, and if your loved one is out of the country, well that can be even worse. In some cases, you could spend as much or more mailing the package than you spent on the gift.

I don’t know about you, but this part of the gift giving process drives me crazy and I will avoid these costs like the plague. I know that in many cases you are left to the mercy of the post office or one of the shipping services and you can do nothing about it. But, with a little planning, we can cut our shipping costs using these services only when we have to.

I know it takes a little more time, but when mailing a package, weigh and measure it, then check online to see who can send the package the cheapest. The Post Office, FedEx, and UPS all have websites that will help you determine the cost of shipping a package. Many times I prefer to us UPS or Fed Ex because they include insurance, whereas the post office charges extra. The post office offers a flat rate (both within the United States and International) for priority mail with four different sized boxes with different rates, and the boxes are free. If your gift fits, it ships for that flat rate regardless of the weight. Just be sure it wouldn’t be cheaper to ship in a regular Priority Mail box. You can pick up all four sizes at your local post office or order online and have them shipped to your home at no cost to you.

Knowing that a gift has to be shipped will determine the gift I choose. If I have a choice between a beautiful vase and a beautiful piece of jewelry, I will choose the jewelry. The vase is probably heavy and will have to be wrapped carefully and placed in a larger box for protection. A piece of jewelry would be much less expensive to ship.

Another way to save money in shipping costs is to deliver the gifts during a visit. I am fortunate to be able to visit my family June or July each year as well as every other Christmas. So, during my summer visit I plan ahead by shopping early for gifts and bring them with me or shop while I am there. Not only does it save money in shipping costs, but I have a few more things to cross off my “to do list”.

This year I was not as organized as usual, so when I mailed my Mother’s birthday gift, I tucked inside the box some items for the rest of the family for Christmas and let my Mother hand deliver them for me. It is cheaper to mail as much as possible in one box than several smaller ones.

If you have many people to shop for out of state, consider using gift certificates which can easily be mailed in an envelope for the price of a stamp. Also, consider items like magazines with a yearly subscription or books which can be mailed in envelopes via media mail which is one of the cheaper ways to mail like items.

Many of the online shopping services will ship a package directly to the recipient of the gift and bill you directly (called bill to, ship to). Some may or may not wrap the gift upon request, but most will include a card. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

I hope this will help you save a little or maybe a lot in shipping costs. Please share any suggestions you may have.

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