How to Ship Edible Gifts During the Holidays

I don’t know about you, but giving gifts around the holidays is one of my favorite things in the entire world. I love packing up a shoebox to be sent to some underprivileged child in a foreign country. It’s so fun trying to find miniature things that can offer on-going fun or functionality. I love buying Angel Tree gifts that will be given to little ones who have an incarcerated parent. And, of course, I love getting gifts for my friends and family! Technically, I shop for Christmas all year long, keeping my eye out for awesome deals. A lot of times, though, I don’t even buy the gifts that I hand out personally… I make them!

I get into this kick where I have a great idea and then produce that idea in mass quantities for everyone I know. Like one year I made blueberry syrup from blueberries that we handpicked. One year I made everyone this craft out of picture frames. The last couple of years I’ve been experimenting with giving homemade candy, which has had the very best results. So this year I made candy boxes. You know those candy boxes you can buy around Valentine’s Day, that are shaped like a heart and full of truffles? So that’s the basic idea, except I personalize the actual boxes and fill them with actual home-made candy.

So then the question that begs to be asked is, “How do I ship these during the holiday season?” Here is what I found out:

Ship early in the week so that the gift/candy isn’t sitting around over the weekend
Choose the right sized box. The right sized box needs to have a couple inches available on all sides of the item, because the item is going to be wrapped in something like bubble wrap.
In the case of my candy boxes, I wrapped them securely in bubble wrap and then wrapped the bubble wrap with packaging tape to make sure that there wasn’t going to be any breaking open or serious shifting in the box. I would not recommend packing peanuts or any other kind of “moveable” cushion, or else your gift will move around in transit and show up in a state of disarray.
Make sure that there is no empty space at the top of the box. This you can fill with newspaper or more bubble wrap, so that the box doesn’t cave in when it’s being handled.
Look around to find out who has the best rate for parcel post with the fastest shipping time. This is up for grabs during the holiday season!

How to Choose the Right Boxes for Moving

What is the single most crucial component when it comes to making a move? Well, sure you need to have somewhere you are moving into. And you definitely need a way to get all your stuff from point A to point B. But even if you don’t have a moving truck and just use your trailer or personal vehicles there is still something that is more important. The answer is boxes! And since boxes are the single most crucial component for moving, choosing the right ones is a big job.

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What are some qualities that you want out of your boxes? How about…

…Strength. When it comes to buying boxes, you should be buying actual moving boxes or shipping boxes. These boxes are designed to carry a heavy load, and be stacked on top of each other. Don’t fret, though. You can still find used moving and shipping boxes from websites like Craiglist or Ebay. If you do get used boxes make sure that they aren’t compromised. Dented corners and any creases lower the integrity of a box more than you think.

…Size. When your boxes are full, they shouldn’t weigh any more than thirty pounds. For stuff like bedding this could be a fairly large box. For books it’s going to be smaller, and then everything in between. Make sure that each box is filled to the top without being overfilled. You don’t want any boxes caving in or bursting at the seams and bringing down all of the ones stacked above and below.

…Support. Using the right kind of moving and shipping boxes should be accentuated by using the right kind of tape. Choose a heavy duty tape, and use enough of it when sealing your boxes. There’s no point to having good boxes if you cut corners with the tape.

… Blank. The nice thing new or gently used boxes is that they come with a blank slate. Literally. The sides need to be basically blank so that you can clearly label or even color code multiple sides of each box. Being able to distinguish your writing from a logo or someone else’s previous label is a big deal. You want your indication of what side should be up, and if the box contains anything fragile, to be taken seriously.

You can never be too sure or too picky about the boxes that you choose for your move. After all, you want your stuff to arrive at your new home the same way it was when you packed it up, right? Otherwise, why are you even bothering to pack it all?

The Best Way for Shipping an Exercise Bike

Consider this scenario: you have an exercise bike at point A, and it needs to be shipped to point B. Right around now is when an ad for a new exercise bike pops up on Craigslist. After all, this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the old exercise bike and get the new and improved exercise bike, the one you’ve always wanted. But what if you already have the exercise bike you’ve always wanted? Well, darling, it looks like you’re going to have to ship it. Therefore, the first thing we are going to have to talk about are packaging supplies.

It goes without saying that packaging supplies are going to make or break the exercise bike shipping experience. Obviously, you aren’t going to wrap your high-tech gym equipment in garbage bags and send it on it’s way. Well, what do you wrap it in?

First, make sure the bike is clean.

Second, take a lot of really good, clear pictures of the bike, from every angle.

Third, remove any moving parts or parts that stick out. Consulting the manual will be extremely helpful for this. If you don’t have a hard copy still, you can usually find a PDF on the internet. Basically, you should be removing the pedals, the handlebars, the seat, any control panels, stuff like that. You’re going to be using the most obvious packaging supplies, like bubble wrap, tape, shipping boxes, and poly bags. It’s how you put them to use in this case that is the most important. All of these pieces should be wrapped securely, put in their own boxes, and labeled correctly. You can ship those boxes individually or put them all in a larger box. Be sure to wrap the power cord to the frame of the bike and secure it. Also, leave the legs on the frame of the bike, which makes for more manageable shipping (double check that this is what your carrier prefers).

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Speaking of carrier, who are you going to use to ship your exercise bike? There are a couple of recommendations and things to consider:

You’re going to need to use an LTL carrier because the bike is simply too large for parcel shipment.
LTL carriers usually specialize in what they carry, so you are going to need to look for one that specializes in awkward household items.
If you choose a provider that does not specialize in what you are selling they wont have the experience or the equipment necessary, which is going to add to the cost. Even though you hear the word “specialized” and think “more expensive”, in this case a specialized carrier is the cheaper option.

Ways to Save on Freight Shipping

Freight shipping is a pretty costly enterprise, and one that is completely unavoidable if you own a company or manage a business. It’s also getting more costly with more regulations. How could this be, with ecommerce companies at an all-time high and continuing to rise? The problem arises with the simple fact that there simply isn’t enough physical space available to move everything that needs to be moved. Drivers are at an all-time low. Profits are too, so equipment is breaking and proper repair is not being invested in.

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These are some challenges in the shipping industry that you simply can’t avoid. There are, however, some that you can:

Don’t Guess How Much the Package Weighs

Weigh every single package for an accurate number. Shipping carriers often re-weigh the items and charge a fee if there is a disparity. Not only will you avoid the fee, you will probably save yourself a bunch of money on shipping in general.

Properly Classify the Packages

There are eighteen freight classifications, all of them of different specifications, and even the type of shipping supplies that you use factors in. You stand the chance of being upcharged if you choose the wrong classification, so be sure to communicate with your carrier if you have any questions.

Properly Package the Packages

This might seem obvious, but it still needs to be said. Choose the right shipping supplies depending on what you are sending. Carriers have begun to charge based on the size of packages and not just how much they weigh. Choosing proper materials will also help you save money on shipping supplies, as well.

Palletize when Appropriate

Items that are going to the same place should be put on a pallet and wrapped tightly with plastic. Not only will this reduce the risk of items being separated and an order being messed up, it will protect what you are sending. On top of that, you will have a lower carrier fee because the pallet will be much more manageable for shipping and handling.

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Have Adequate Insurance

A lot of carriers offer insurance, but you might want to consider looking at third party insurance providers to get the most coverage for your money. Some online research should help you find the best companies to choose from.

Manage Your Paperwork Well

Make sure that all of the shipping paperwork is properly completed. It would be a great idea to have someone who is solely designated for making sure that there are no disparities in the orders. Unfortunately, it’s the shipping paperwork that most often results in shipping issues, and that will cost you dearly.

A Short Discussion About Wedding Favors

Planning for your wedding is an enormous task. People spend years putting together color schemes, flower arrangements, dress designs, table layouts, reception favors, venue decorations, menu planning, cake creating, and on and on the list goes… Some people knock this out in a few months and do their best to save money. Some people want to extend the engagement so they can make sure that every single detail is absolutely perfect. If you are taking either route, there are still some pretty fabulous tips out there to help you wind up with the best day ever.

What’s one aspect of a wedding that always falls flat? Or, rather, that seems to be underappreciated? The favors. I mean, if we’re all being honest here, how many weddings have you gone to where you actually made to sure to take your favor home? There have only been a couple for me. One of them was my cousin’s wedding, and she had made some pretty snazzy Christmas tree ornaments (she got married in December) out of hot glue, ribbon, and starfish (she got married in Florida).

I took that one home because I love a good Christmas tree ornament. Other than that, I can’t really say I was chomping at the bit to take home a candle with the bride and groom’s face on it. For my own wedding I skipped the favors altogether and set out a printout on each table saying that I had given the money for favors to a charitable organization committed to finding the cure for brain cancer (my mother had just had a brain tumor removed).

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That being said, before you consider dropping four and five hundred dollars on personalized shot glasses or sunglasses, or even those little mesh baggies of butter mints, consider offering small candy boxes at each place setting, each one wrapped differently, with cohesive embellishments and colors. People aren’t even going to wait to open their own individual present, and there are definitely going to be some squeals when the guests discover they’ve unwrapped candy boxes.

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Four, or even two, candies per box is all that is necessary. You can even make the candy for an added touch, or order it from a local confectioner to promote your local businesses. Either way, I have found that candy boxes as party favors for any occasion are immediately partaken of and appreciated. So yeah, it’s candy, but that’s the point! Everyone loves candy! Not everyone loves beer koozies and another ballpoint pen.

Saving Money On Shipping Even with Dimensional Weight

If you are in the packaging and shipping world, even if its distributing shipping supplies and not actually doing the packaging or shipping, then you probably know what dimensional weight is. If you don’t know what dimensional weight is, you probably aren’t even reading this post, but I will still take a minute to make sure that we are all (present or not) starting out on the same page.

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Dimensional weight is the volume of any given package (DIM weight, for short). For shipping purposes, this refers to the amount of space a package takes up, and not what it actually weighs. So if your brain is beginning to wonder at the possibilities, then wonder no more. Yes, it will cost more to ship a large box of pillows than it will cost to ship a smaller box of rocks. Seems kind of ridiculous? Maybe.

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Maybe not. With ecommerce at an all time high, companies aren’t paying close attention to the size of what they are sending. Ever gotten a package in the mail and the item was about a quarter of the size of the box being used? This oversight costs a shipping carrier money. Don’t worry, there are still ways you can save money, even with dimensional weight:

Even decreasing a box size by a couple inches will greatly decrease the dimensional weight. If you are shipping pillows, for example, what about vacuum sealing them? This will not only save you on shipping supplies, but on dimensional weight as well.
Talk to your shipping carriers, especially if they are FedEx or UPS. Go over your contract and negotiate a rate based on your shipping volume, how much you ship with them over a given period of time. This is a really great way to save the most money. If you do a lot of shipping, any carrier will recognize your potential. If not, you can take your business elsewhere.
On the other hand, you might need to consider splitting your shipping options. You might need to go with with a different carrier for your larger, lightweight options and stay with FedEx or UPS for the smaller stuff. Try to negotiate a rate, first, but if that fails you have other options.
Quite simple, pay attention to the size of the item you are shipping and the size of the package. Just because you have shipping supplies laying around doesn’t mean you should use them. There is going to be a lot of waste if you go this route. Not only for you, but for your carrier, and even for your customer.

It’s Gift Giving Season!

One of my favorite things about the holidays is giving gifts. I can’t decide which is my favorite: seeing family and friends that I haven’t seen in a while, eating a lot of amazing food, or giving gifts. They are all so amazing. One of my favorite gifts to give are homemade candy boxes full of homemade candy. They are simply amazing for every occasion, and everyone always appreciates homemade candy.

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Recently, I’ve found a lot of really great ideas on the internet to get me thinking outside of the box, if you will:

Use unusual materials for gift wrapping. Your kids’ artwork, newspaper, calendar pages, paper bags…
Cards are expensive and immediately disposed of (usually). Have your kids make a homemade card, use cardstock to make your own, or keep on hand a stack of blank, multipurpose cards.
You don’t always have to give some”thing” as a gift. AKA clutter, AKA why I usually decorate candy boxes and fill them with homemade candy (they are guilt free). Aside from homemade edibles, gifting an experience is right up there. Take someone out to lunch. Take someone to a concert. Take someone somewhere that you know they love.
Keep a bottle of random stuff around for the time when you need an impromptu gift. Those DIY candy boxes take time to put together! Sometimes I have to reach into the tub labeled “gifts” and pull out that candle from Bath and Body Works, or grab a ten dollar gift card to Chik Fil A. That’s okay too!
One of my absolute favorite gifts is to make a donation in someone’s honor. Every other Christmas my husband I purchase ducks, or a goat, or put money towards a well through charitable organizations like Samaritan’s purse, and that organization will send a card to whomever you are honoring, letting them know.
Be sure to provide gift receipts, especially if you are giving a toy or clothes. People tend to be picky and exact about what they want, and it would be better for someone to exchange what you got them than for your money, and gesture, to go completely to waste.
When it comes to Christmas shopping, have a set budget and stick to that budget. I start my gift-buying early in the year, especially if I see something on sale that I know someone will like.
You don’t have to join the Black Friday rush, and ruin your Thanksgiving, in order to reap the benefits. By the afternoon of Black Friday most of the crowd is gone and all of the sales are still available. They are usually available for the rest of that weekend, and now there is Cyber Monday, so there is plenty of time to get good deals while still respecting the holiday.

Helpful Tips for Helping Your Elderly Parents Move

You may be in the season of life where your parents are getting older and you’ve talked with them and decided that it’s not the best idea for them to continue living on their own, or so far away from you. Either way, the process can be full of emotions and challenges that are unique. It helps to be as prepared as possible when taking this under and, thankfully, there are plenty of resources available to help you along the way.

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Here are is an abbreviated version to get you started:

People experience a range of emotions when it comes to moving, and most elderly people have been in their homes for a long time. They have memories there, often of a spouse that has already passed away. Your aging parent, even if they agree to the move, are going to need a lot of time to grieve and process their feelings. Give them a hand in as much of the process as possible. You don’t want to leave your mom or dad feeling like they are being stripped of all control as they start out their new life.
Set aside some time to really lay out the process in its entirety. Know what kind of space your parent/s are going to be moving into. Is it another house that is closer? Is it an apartment? Is it a room in your own home? This will determine the extent of your downsizing and moving operation. It would be great idea to print out a floor plan of the new place and help your parents decide where they will want to position their belongings. This is the time you are going to want to start accumulating as many cheap moving boxes as possible.
Communicate with as many members of your family as possible about what is going to be happening with Mom and Dad, or Grandpa and Grandma. Ask for everyone’s help. The job is going to be much bigger than you think it will be (because it always winds up that way!). Even the little ones can play a part by keeping their eyes open for free or cheap moving boxes.
Packing and Moving. Regardless of where your parents are going, even if its to another home in an adult community, the reality is that they are going to need to do some downsizing, to some extent. Hopefully that pile of cheap moving boxes has been growing steadily. There are so many different options for the actual pack-up and move, and those are readily available for you as well.

DIY Storage Solutions

Let’s talk DIY storage solutions. Everyone’s doin’ it. That doesn’t matter to you? Fine (also, I’m proud of you). But that doesn’t mean that DIY storage solutions shouldn’t be utilized by everyone. Let’s face it- storage is ridiculously expensive. Most of us simply want we can’t have. What’s the point of going into debt because of storage? There isn’t one! You can create your own storage solutions primarily out of recycled materials like cardboard boxes, and here’s how:

Project One) Antique wooden crates might make me break out in hives with longing, but I’ll be darned if I’m going to dip into my retirement to get my hands on some. So instead of shelling out the cash, I used some sturdy cardboard boxes and an old sweater I didn’t wear anywhere to make an adorable nest for stuffed animals.

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Project Two) Use your own cardboard boxes to come up with a tea organizer that fits easily into your drawer and also comes out easily enough when you have guests over.

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Project Three) Use your empty disinfectant wipe canisters to make a hanging wall system. Instead of me trying to explain it to you, look it up on pinterest and find tons of different options. An easier project, using the same materials, is to cover one of the canisters with spray adhesive and fabric, and then use it to store your rolls of doggy bags.

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Project Four) I’m pretty sure you’ve seen the PVC pipe shoe rock, and there’s good reason for it. It’s because the system is freaking amazing, and is highly recommended. If you have a whole mudroom you can even go up the entire wall and store lesser used shoes (like snow boots) at the top.

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Project Five) Use wire mesh filing trays as a storage solution by screwing them to the insides of your closet doors. You can fit a lot of obscure stuff in there that just winds up taking up room elsewhere, like hats and gloves and scarves or some sports uniform accessories.

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Project Six) One of my personal favorites is using bulk spice containers to store batteries in. These even fit perfectly inside of a refrigerator door if you are the kind of person who keeps their batteries chilled at all times.

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Project Seven) I couldn’t end this post in good conscience without going back to cardboard boxes. You can cover cardboard boxes with fabric, paper, paint… You can use chalkboard paper, label stickers, or anything other label available at your local craft store…

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You can literally transform any kind of cardboard box into a solution for storage and be happy with it. But don’t take my word for it! Let Pinterest prove it!

Traveling and Packing Tips

Have you ever been traveling? Of course you have. At least, most of us have. Even if it was just as simple as jumping on a plane for a couple hour flight that took you to Universal Studios. Even if your flight was short, and direct, you probably noticed how uncomfortable the whole business was. From start to finish you are lugging around heavy equipment, you can’t dig into your carry-on for chapstick because you packed it so full that you would never be able to close it again… The scenarios are never ending.

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However, traveling isn’t limited just to flying. Packing up your minivan and driving to your in-laws a couple states over is still considered traveling.

At this point in time I’d like to recommend that you consider introducing shipping supplies into your traveling experience. What on earth? You may find yourself saying this in all caps inside of your brain. Hear me out.

How many times have you pulled your Louis Vuitton suitcases off of the baggage claim conveyor belt only to discover that the luggage crew was treating them like a couple of cardboard boxes? (#notcool) Although I’ve never gone the couture route, I have probably wound up spending just as much money on multiple sets of cheap suitcases that keep getting decimated in transit.

So why not just handle the dilemma and actually use cardboard boxes? See? Cardboard boxes are shipping supplies. So are masking tape and shipping labels. Tape your stuff up in a cardboard box and you stand less chance of having your crap broken into and pilfered (#alsonotcool).

The same thing goes for driving. Instead of trying to wedge a bunch of different shaped boxes in the back of your vehicle, use boxes. Label the outsides and stack easily. Who would have thought that a couple standard shipping supplies could make your traveling experience so much better?

On a different note, there are a couple tips to keep in mind when packing for a trip. Contrary to popular belief, rolling your clothes does the opposite of saving you room. When you fold something it lies flat, essentially using up all potential space. When you roll clothes, you wind up with a lot of unused cracks and crevices. Put any fragile items in the very center of your suitcase. This is also where you should pack delicate clothes, like suits or bridesmaids dresses.

Nowadays, TSA saves you the hassle of not knowing what to do with your toiletries. You still need to pack tiny-sized personal care items and make sure they all fit into a pint-sized plastic bag. This not only saves you a ton of space by forcing you to pack light, but it also saves you the possibility of your bottles busting open in transit and ruining the rest of your stuff.