Pack With Care. photo courtesy of urbanshoregirl
Have you ever gone to the trouble of picking out a wonderful gift, only to have break, crack or get ruined during shipping? It’s a terrible feeling, especially if the item is rare or old. Here are a few packing suggestions for shipping your fragile and delicate gifts.
Have the Right Materials
Recycling what you have around the house, like old newspapers or tissue paper is great, but make sure you are using the right materials. Visit your local office supply store to find low-cost packing supplies like bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts and stretch film.
Wrap Items Separately
If you are sending several breakable items, like for instance a set of glasses, make sure each one is packed individually. This will prevent items from bumping each other during their journey.
Let the Box Float
Once you securely package your delicate item in a box, pack that box in another box. Make sure your first box is “floating” on a layer of packing peanuts or other soft material. This method allows the exterior box take the brunt of the beating from shipping, while your item inside the interior box stays safe.
Use Lots of Tape
When securing the seams of your box, use a double layer of tape. This is especially important if your items are heavy because you don’t want your box to rip open during shipping.
Test it Out
Once you’ve packaged up your items, give the box a shake. If you hear rattling that is not a good sign. That means items are hitting each other inside and your box needs to be repackaged. If you’re items don’t seem to move, then you are good to go.
Announce What’s Inside
I don’t mean telling everyone you’ve got a high-priced piece of china inside. What I mean is writing “Fragile” on all sides of the box. This will let everyone handling your package know to treat it with care.
