Getting it there, and getting it there on time – Helpful shipping tips for the holiday
by Lisa Crockett
‘Tis the season to send packages around the country. Here are some ways you can make this item on your holiday “to-do” list a little easier:
Post office locations in or near the Castle Pines community :
Castle Pines Village, (Castle Pines Postal Center), 80108 – 862 West Happy Canyon Road, Suite 110
Lone Tree (Lone Tree Postal), 80124 – 8878 Maximus Drive
Highlands Ranch, 80130 – 9609 South University Blvd.
Castle Rock, 80104 – 300 E Miller Court
Louviers, 80131 – 7895 Louviers Blvd.
Sedalia, 80135 – 4195 Douglas Ave.
Parker, 80134 – 18695 Pony Express Drive
Parker, 80134 – 16522 Keystone Blvd.
The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives by Christmas:
Dec. 4 — Military mail destined for Iraq or Afghanistan
Dec. 11 — Military mail for other overseas bases
Dec. 16 — Parcel Post, the most economical shipping service
Dec. 20 — First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 — Priority Mail
Dec. 23 — Express Mail
Looking for an alternative to the USPS? Castle Pines North has a UPS Store located at 558 Castle Pines Parkway, in the Safeway Shopping Plaza. Packages can be shipped as late as December 23 for delivery by Christmas Eve through UPS.
The UPS store also offers packaging services and has packaging materials for sale on-site. For more information visit www.theupsstore.com.
Helpful packaging tips:
Make sure packages are able to withstand processing without the contents or packaging breaking.
Cushion items with bubble wrap, newspaper, or “foam peanuts” so they do not shift during transit.
Wrap each item separately when packing more than one item in the same box.
Remove batteries from electronic devices and wrap separately.
Close and shake the box to see if there is enough cushioning. If items are shifting, add more cushioning.
Mark packages “Fragile” in large print on the outside of the box when shipping materials that might be more likely to break.
When re-using a box make sure previous labels and markings are covered before mailing.
Mark “Perishable” on packages that contain food or other items that can spoil.
Place an extra address label with the delivery and return address inside the package. This ensures the safe return of an item that could not be delivered should the outside label become damaged or fall off.
Always use tape designed for sealing shipping boxes.
Do not use string, cellophane and masking tape to seal packages.
