Happy Holiday Shipping

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Nov 8, 2012) - (Family Features) The holidays are usually pretty hectic, and the last thing you need is to stress over shipping your holiday gifts. With millions of packages moving across the country every day, knowing how to pack and when to ship your gifts can save you time and money, taking the hassle out of holiday shipping.

These tips from FedEx will help you ensure the safe and timely delivery of your holiday packages.

Smart Packing Tips

• Use new, sturdy boxes with the flaps intact, and do not reuse boxes. Select a box that is large enough to accommodate the proper thickness of cushioning material.
  
  
• Wrap items individually with cushioning material and center them in cartons away from other items and away from the sides, corners, top and bottom of the box.
  
  
• Choose cushioning of appropriate density and thickness, and use enough to fill all void spaces in your shipping container. Position at least two inches of bubble wrap, peanuts or other packing materials on all sides, and use a heavy duty tape designed for packaging.
  
  
• Double-box fragile items with 3 inches of cushioning in and around the smaller box.
  
  
• For odd- or irregular-shaped items, be sure to wrap and tape all sharp edges or protrusions.
  
  
• Position the shipping label squarely on the most visible side of the container away from any folds or seams. Provide complete sender and recipient addresses, including zip codes and telephone numbers. Make sure the label is properly and securely attached. FedEx also recommends placing an extra label, business card or letterhead with the shipper's address and phone number inside the package before sealing it.
  
  
• Apply at least three strips of packing tape (no duct or masking tape) to the top and bottom sides of the container using the H taping method.
  
  

Don't be afraid to ask for packing and shipping help. There are more than 1,800 FedEx Office Print & Ship Center locations around the world that provide a variety of packing and shipping supplies and services.

Smart Shipping Tips

• Send your gifts ahead. If you are traveling this holiday season, take the hassle out of carrying wrapped packages with you by sending your gifts ahead of your arrival.
  
  
• Ship early in the season. This will allow you to avoid the lines and provide you with a greater selection of shipping service options. Take advantage of FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, and FedEx Express Saver and 2Day services to save money on your shipments.
  
  

Holiday Shipping Deadlines
For delivery in time for Christmas, the last day to ship with FedEx Ground is Monday, December 17, and the last day to ship with FedEx Express is Saturday, December 22.
For more tips, or to create and print a shipping label, visit www.fedex.com.

Recipe for a Safe and Crumble-Free Sweet Treat
If you're sending cookies or other sweet holiday gifts, make sure you pack them properly so that they don't arrive as crumbs.

Ingredients:
1		sturdy container for the baked goods
1		box of wax paper
1		roll of tape
1		sturdy corrugated cardboard box
		Bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts, plastic grocery bags or other packing materials

Directions:
Place the baked goods in a sturdy container lined with plastic wrap or wax paper. Layer wax paper between the baked goods, using crumpled paper to fill in any void spaces.
Secure the lid of the container to the body with tape, to keep it from accidentally popping off.

Place the container in a sturdy corrugated cardboard box, and use packing materials to cushion the container tightly in place.

Shake the box -- if you can feel or hear any movement, add more cushioning.

Baker's Notes:

• Don't forget to include a card or sheet of paper with the shipper and/or recipient's contact info on it. In case the shipping document gets lost, this information will help get the package to its destination.
• When thinking about gift ideas, small or sturdier items like sugar cookies, biscotti and popcorn are some of the sweet treats that will ship the best.
• Be sure to send your cookies early in the week so that they are still fresh when they arrive, as shipping may take up to 3 to 5 business days.
• For more tips and affordable shipping ideas, please visit www.fedex.com/us/holiday.

Trees for Troops
In conjunction with the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, FedEx donates transportation and logistics services to help deliver Christmas trees to activated service members and their families. Since the program began in 2005, Trees for Troops has delivered more than 100,000 trees to troops stationed at more than 60 bases around the world.

Here's how you can help spread holiday cheer to military families:

Make a Donation
Make a tax-deductible contribution to the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, to help fund the Trees for Troops program.

Buy a Tree
Find a Trees for Troops Weekend location or a tree farm near you. You can purchase a tree to donate to Trees for Troops.

Buy an Ornament or T-shirt

• Purchase a commemorative pewter ornament, with proceeds benefiting the Trees for Troops program.
• The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation partners with Greater than Goods to sell t-shirts and sweatshirts. For every Trees for Troops item you purchase, $5 will be donated to CSF for the Trees for Troops program.

Learn more at www.treesfortroops.org.

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