Are You Over-Booked, Over-Stressed & Out of Christmas JOY? The Christmas Coach is Here to Help!
Mailing Gifts
Mailing Packages - the sooner you mail packages the less money you will have to pay because you can use the longer shipping methods. Consider mailing packages the day after Thanksgiving - the lines at the post office are often short as everyone is out shopping. If you go shopping ask another family member to take the packages for you (between the football games that is).
If you have items to mail that you have not purchased yet consider buying small light weight gifts such as cd's, jewelry, magazine subscriptions, etc. allowing you to fit items into flat rate mailing envelopes.
Consider giving specialty magazine subscriptions to people on your list. Purchase the current copy, then send in the card for it to start in January - you can wrap the current copy and get several into a flat rate envelope and they will think about you each time during the year they get another copy.
One thing to keep in mind is that the overnight (which to some locations is 2 days) guaranteed from the post office will be delivered on the weekends - including Sunday's - and also on Christmas day. It costs a little more but they do deliver it!
Consider also condensing gifts into one box if multiple people are going to one location during the holidays. For example - you and your siblings all go to your parent's home sometime during the holiday season (even if it is not at the same time), send all the gifts to your parent's home instead of to each individual family's house. This will save you time and money on shipping!
Purchase your Christmas stamps for cards NOW - before the post office gets busier. Another option is to consider ordering them online at www.usps.com and avoid the line altogether. Remember to weigh a completed card with all inserts to see if it will require additional postage to keep the receiver from having to pay the additional cost or having the card returned to you. When slecting cards avoid cards to mail that have extra width to them as they will require more postage. Sending cards that specify "hand-stamp" will cost you additional so plan for the extra expense if needed.
Purchase your Christmas stamps for cards NOW - before the post office gets busier. Another option is to consider ordering them online at www.usps.com and avoid the line altogether. Remember to weigh a completed card with all inserts to see if it will require additional postage to keep the receiver from having to pay the additional cost or having the card returned to you. When slecting cards avoid cards to mail that have extra width to them as they will require more postage. Sending cards that specify "hand-stamp" will cost you additional so plan for the extra expense if needed.
Save on postage by hand delivering cards to friends you see on a regular basis such as at church or social activities. If you still want to send something in the mail consider mailing Christmas postcards, saving on the postage.
