It’s the time of year for a flurry of presents to make their way across the country and around the world. Since I get a lot of experience prepping packages at the Lemonade Stand, I thought I’d share some tips so that your goodies arrive the way you send them and on time.
Packing with care:
13. It is best to use new cardboard boxes. Some boxes are double walled or actually have a series of check boxes on the bottom for the number of uses it is rated for, but when in doubt use a new box to help prevent collapse and damage to contents.
12. Always use a big enough box for your goodies. If the contents are bowing out your box or creating a bulge on top, you risk things being crushed or broken while they are in transit. So be sure to leave enough room for plenty of packing materials.
11. There are a variety of packing materials to cushion your fragile items. Packing foam peanuts, bubblewrap, and foam egg carton pieces are the best because they have “memory” - they bounce back into shape as things shift. Paper can be used but remember it will crush down when contents shift - so use newsprint or kraft paper for filler on non-fragile items.
10. The order you stack things can also help protect fragile gifts. Place things like books on the bottom with wrapped breakables on top surrounded by those cushioning products to fill the rest of the space.
9. When closing your package, use packing tape rather than masking or transparent gift wrap tape. You get better adhesive keeping your box sealed tight.
8. Using at least 2″ packing tape, seal all of the edges. This will help prevent moisture seeping into your boxes and keep your gifts dry.
7. To help the delivery folks get your package to the right person, make sure the full accurate address is written in clear lettering with permanent marker. Using a label or even taping the address written on a piece of paper on a dark package can help as well.
6. Protect addresses with tape. It’s snowing and raining and dripping all over, you don’t want to delay delivery because of illegible address information. It’s not a bad idea to protect your return address too in case it would need to come back to you.
5. Confirm that someone will be there to receive the package. You may want to choose to have a signature required to make sure that gifts aren’t ruined or stolen because they are left on a porch while folks are away.
4. Often there is insurance included in your shipping cost, be sure it is enough to cover the value of replacing the gifts. Don’t add unnecessary coverage but it may be worth paying a few extra dollars for peace of mind.
3. Plan to give your package plenty of time to arrive. It’s more fun to create anticipation with the “Do Not Open till Christmas” on the outside than a phone call saying it will be there before New Year’s. You can use the websites for US Postal Service, UPS and FedEx to calculate both cost and transportation times.
2. If you don’t have a big window of time (and December 1st is Saturday), be aware that you get what you pay for. Choosing higher valued services like Overnite, Express, and Priority Mail means that those packages get on the truck first. When the truck fills, lower priced services like Parcel Post and even First Class Mail is left for the next available space.
1. The number one tip I can give you is be thorough. Take your time to get every thing inside that you want, that it’s properly packed and sealed, and that you have the correct address on the right packages. If you rush, you can make mistakes that can make a mess instead of making a Merry Christmas.
I hope this helps make packing up those gifts for the holidays a little less stressed and little more fun!
Technorati Tags: shipping tips, sending gifts, holiday packages, packing ideas
I’ve eaten turkey, I’ve put up my tree, I’ve even baked a batch of gingerbread cookies. It’s the time of year for many wonderful holiday traditions including parties where the gift exchange is a feature event.
If you fear being caught with only a gas station gift certificate, fret not. We’ve created a list of gift ideas for perfect for just about any level. Check out this Top Ten to help you find a gift to make you the hit of the party!
Technorati Tags: gift exchange, holiday party, top ten list
Temperatures have dropped here in Wisconsin and I had to dig out my “real”
coat. Along with my coat I had to find my gloves and hat. I think perhaps even I might be able to make myself a warm scarf with the Cup of Yarn set.
Great for a personal challenge to give the scarf as a gift or as a gift for someone who’s been “meaning to learn” how to knit. It includes all your yarn, a pair of bamboo needles plus complete instructions booklet.
This Monday Madness offers your choice of Passion Fruit or Rainbow Sherbet color combinations for the super low price of $13.97 today only!
Technorati Tags: Monday Madness, knitting, cup of yarn, Lemonade Stand
According to my observations there are three kinds of Christmas card people:
1) those who write them and send them Thanksgiving weekend.
2) those who write them and send them a week before Christmas.
3) those who receive them 
If you happen to belong to that first group, have I got a deal for you!
Our Jelly Bean Greeting Card Sets take on holiday flavors: Cherry Christmas and Gingerbread Greetings. Sets contain two each of four different full color holiday notecards.
Individual cards are valued at $2.00 each, the sets of eight normally retail for $14.00, but today only get as many sets as you need for only $8.00 a set!
Technorati Tags: Christmas card, holiday card, Monday Madness, Lemonade Stand
I’m a big reader. Always have been. I used to sneak a flashlight under my covers to read after my bedtime while I was in grade school. I love all the cool books we offer at the Lemonade Stand.
Here are 13 favorites perfect for curling up in front of a fire on a cold windy day like it is here in Madison.
Inspiring quotes & stories to put life in perspective:
Suggestions for doing things to enjoy life more:
Encouraging ideas and positive actions for changing your life
Great ways to make an impact on family however you define it:
Humorous perspective of the true and almost true in society today:
Engaging descriptions to feed your mind and fuel your creativity before you hit the kitchen:
Every one an escape from chilly days of late fall! Great for a gift or a treat for yourself.
Technorati Tags: books, gift books, life change, inspiration, pop culture, cookbook
It’s that time of year for wet, muddy, slushy, and even snowy weather. So that makes it a great time to get a new doormat.
The Barcode Mat is a fun way to take care of your entryway floors in style. You can even look up what the barcode is for with the UPC Database.
The heavy duty mat is environmentally friendly because it’s made from 100% recycled truck tires.
Shop the Lemonade Stand for yours today for only $16.77 - that’s 30% off the “every other day of the week but this Monday” price.
This Monday Madness price expires when Monday November 11th does!
Technorati Tags: Monday Madness, doormat, snowy weather, barcode, upc, Lemonade Stand
My mom loves jewelry. In fact, she has her own line she designs and makes: Guest House Jewelry. The Cool Jewels ice cube tray was a natural gift for her.
Two things I like:
- The silicone tray makes it easy to get the jewel-shaped ice out of the trays without the banging and slamming of normal ice cube trays.
- The unique shapes are great party accessories. For a twist freeze juice to add to sparkling water, punch or mixed drinks.
One thing I don’t like:
- With only six cubes in the tray, you need to plan ahead to have enough on hand for more than two drinks. Of course if you have more than one tray that would fix the problem.
She may not be able to string them into a double strand necklace, but Mom does enjoy her Cool Jewels.
Technorati Tags: Cool Jewels, ice cube tray, jewelry, Mom, party accessories
