A Guide to Sending Long-Distance Gifts

Most of us have experienced being far from home during a special occasion – be it a birthday, holiday, wedding, or baby shower. And most of us would love to be able to send a gift that will make our loved ones feel as if we were really there. Sending wrapped gifts is perfectly okay with the post office and UPS as long as they are packaged in another box, but your gift is almost guaranteed to be in worse shape when it arrives than when you send it. If you want to avoid shredded wrapping papers, crushed items, lost packages, and the urge to give up and send a gift card, here are a few ideas.

• Consider a gift box. These days, a variety of elegant and sturdy gift box options are available with no wrapping paper required. Not only will they hold up well in the mail, your package will arrive looking sophisticated and undamaged – which is important for occasions like graduations, or maybe a long-distance wedding you couldn’t make it to.
• Don’t overwrap. Place your gift in the box you are sending it in and surround it with something to cushion the empty space, such as newspaper or packing peanuts. When done correctly, even a ribbon or a bow can be cushioned. Avoid using too much tape or any extra overwrap that can damage your gift box.
• Don’t forget the card. Include some pictures or magazine clippings – anything that makes your entire package more personal. The more time you take putting it all together, the more it shows your loved ones how much you wish you could be there with them.
• Invest in package insurance. Many people skip over insurance options, whether with the post office, UPS, or FedEx, but they all have insurance available up to thousands of dollars, and if you you’re sending one gift or many, you want to protect what you paid for. It also gives you some extra peace of mind, especially during the holidays or after a long-distance move.
• Make sure you send on time. Keep in mind the distance your gift or gifts have to travel as well as the time of year, and allow plenty of time for delivery. Whoever is shipping your box can give you a good idea of when it will arrive, but keep your receipt and tracking number so you can track the progress of your package online if you have concerns.

Being separated from a friend or relative by geography is no reason to miss an important moment in their lives. But with all the options available to us online, it’s easy to lose the personal touches to our gifts when we have to send them far away. The right kind of long-distance gift should represent you – it should send along a little piece of yourself to whoever receives it and improve their special day. With a little time and planning, it’s possible to send gifts that will brighten any occasion with thoughtfulness and love. There’s no better way to keep in touch.

LIsa Merritt writes for party blogs where you can find out more about Retail Packaging.