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| The silver package off to the side is the one last item that lays flat on top of the rest of the gifts, filling that last inch of space. |
I have one package of gifts that I send out of the country each Christmas. So my deadline to get this in the mail is December 1st. (That's actually far ahead of the cut-off date, but in my experience it can take longer than the Postal Service says.) As the cost of shipping is determined by weight, I pack my gifts as efficiently as possible, using my smallest box.
First of all, this kind of packing works for non-breakable items only.
Before I wrap the gifts, I select my box. I look for a box as close to the size of my bundle of gifts as possible, erring on the small side, as I seem to be able to find a way to fit everything all in.
I practice packing the items in the box several times, until I can find a way to get every last item in. Having a couple of soft, flexible items is a help, as they can be folded into the needed space to fill that last spot.
When I have found the best arrangement of items for the box, I take the gifts out and lay them in order of how they shall be repacked. I then wrap the gifts. The soft items are folded into the shape needed to fit, before I wrap them.
I use the most lightweight of wrapping as possible. Some ideas for lightweight wrap are tissue, mylar (such as old mylar balloons), and lightweight fabric.
I avoid large bows, but stick to ribbon ties, tiny bows, and stickers for the decorative touch on the packages.
I then repack the box, writing down a brief description of each item for customs (so I don't have to go back and unpack the box to obtain that info). I take advantage of every crack and crevice for slim items.
I add a card, seal the box shut and I'm good to go.
(Dear friend, you know who you are. I guessed you'd figure out that this is for you. Your package is on it's way -- surprise! Merry Christmas!)
Here are some US shipping deadlines given by the US Postal Service for the holiday season 2012. These are their best guesses, not guarantees. If getting your package to it's recipient by Dec. 25 is important, I'd suggest shipping 2-4 days ahead of the USPS deadlines. Things happen. After the recent storm Sandy, I waited an additional 9 days to receive a letter mailed from the East Coast, the day before the storm hit.
Within the US
Parcel Post Service -- Dec. 14
First Class Mail Service -- Dec. 20
Priority Mail Service -- Dec. 21
Express Mail Service --Dec.22
US to Canada
First Class Int'l -- Dec. 10
Priority Int'l -- Dec. 13
Express Mail Int'l -- Dec. 17
Global Express Guaranteed -- Dec. 20
US to Europe
First Class Int'l -- Dec. 10
Priority Int'l -- Dec. 13
Express Int'l -- Dec. 15
Global Express Guaranteed -- Dec. 19
Military APO/FPO/DPO
Parcel Airlift -- Nov. 30 - Dec. 3
Priority Mail -- Dec. 3 - 10
First Class Mail -- Dec. 3 - 10
Express Mail Military (not available to all military zips) -- Dec. 17
