For those special packages that go under the tree, here are a few unique
ways to wrap and roll...
Make regular Christmas cut-out sugar cookies
(see
Mrs. Santa's Cooking School for a couple of nifty recipes) but before
baking, punch a hole in the top. After the cookies are cooled, use icing
to write To: and From: and use the cookie as a name tag.
Have a gift that's fragile and tall? Purchase an inexpensive Christmas rug
from a discount store--the kind with the sturdy rubber backing works best.
Roll the gift in bubble wrap and then roll it in the rug. Tie with ribbon.
Stuff the ends with colorful tissue paper and it looks like an old-fashioned
holiday cracker!
Small pre-printed holiday hand towels also work well to wrap gifts in...and
the wrapping becomes a gift itself.
Spread out a length of aluminum foil. Use cookie cutters to impress the shape
into the foil. (Don't press too hard or you'll cut the foil.) Then wrap your
gift. Looks elegant and expensive...but we won't tell just how inexpensive
it really is.
For a tasty and unique wrapping...crush several candy canes. Wrap the package
in foil paper. Then, using craft glue, draw the outline of a snowflake. Then
sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the glue. Allow to dry. Then, just
shake the excess candy off.
Rubber stamping is easy and fun. Purchase several holiday rubber stamps and
colorful ink pads. Using white freezer paper, set the kids to work stamping
the paper. Can also be used with brown wrapping paper or brown shopping bags.
Make keepstake nametags. Using your computer printer and some pre-cut business
cards, select some Christmas clip art and address the cards. After printing
them, laminate them or cover them with clear Con-Tact paper. Add a self-stick
magnet or magnetic strip to the back and the recipient can hang it on their
refrigerator--reminding them all year of your thoughtfulness.
When you're shipping packages to others...
Here are some handy suggestions when shipping packages to other places...
Corrugated cardboard boxes are the best.
Never exceed the suggested weight limit. To discover what that is, turn over
the box and look at the bottom. Usually there is a stamp with the suggested
weight limits and test results stamped there.
If sending several smaller packages inside a larger box, make sure there's
ample room between the boxes for packing materials (shredded paper, Styrofoam
pellets or popcorn) to cushion the inner packages.
An additional precaution can be taken by wrapping the Christmas-wrapped package
with bubble wrap before inserting it into the shipping carton.
Do not use masking tape or cellophane tape to close the shipping carton.
Those types of tape aren't strong enough to take the kind of jostling your
package might encounter en route.
Do not use string to add security to your package's closure. The string may
catch on the automated sorting machines used by the Post Office or other
shipper and consequently ruin the shipping container and contents.
Remember to use proper labeling on your shipping containers!
Always include the zip code/mailing code on the address label.
Always remember to include your return address on the label.
A wise bet is to place an additional mailing label with the same information
on the inside of the container.
If possible, include a telephone number for the recipient if their address
is a post office box or rural route address.
Only place the shipping label on the TOP of the box. It might sound wise
to put labels on top, bottom and sides, but by placing the label only on
the top, the handlers should know which side is "up."
Don't place the label over the sealing tape or a seam.
Beat the rush of mailing packages to foreign countries and those in the
military. Here are the suggested dates to mail by courtesy of the US Postal
Service.
International Mail To
Air Letters/ Cards
Air Parcel Post
Surface
Africa
Dec. 2
Dec. 2
Oct. 25
Asia/Pacific Rim/ Australia/New Zealand
Dec. 9
Dec. 9
Nov. 5
Canada/Mexico
Dec. 13
Dec. 13
Nov. 26
Caribbean/Europe
Dec. 9
Dec. 9
Nov. 12
Central and South America
Dec. 2
Dec. 2
Nov. 5
Middle East
Dec. 9
Dec. 9
Oct. 29
Military Mail Addressed To
First-Class Letters/Cards
Priority Mail
Parcel Airlift(PAL)
Space Avail. Mail(SAM)
Standard Mail
APO/FPO AE ZIPs 090-098
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Dec. 3
Nov. 27
Nov. 6
APO/FPO AA ZIPs 340
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Dec. 3
Nov. 27
Nov. 6
APO/FPO AP ZIPs 962-966
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Dec. 3
Nov. 27
Nov. 6
And some more hints from the USPS for shipping overseas...
Overseas addresses:
must be in English and use Arabic numerals;
have foreign postal codes, if known, in front or after the city or town name
and on the same line;
place the city or town name and the province or state name on the next line
after the street address information; and,
write the name of the foreign country in capital letters on the bottom line
of the address.
Other way to ship overseas via USPS include:
Priority Mail Global Guaranteed
International Express Mail
Global Priority Mail
Registered and insured service
Now if you really want to send an easy gift faraway (or even close by) this
holiday season, how about a book in electronic binding? Such as:
