KEEPING DELIVERY SPECIAL

Here's how to fit holiday cheer into a box, so it can be shared with loved ones far away.
By SARAH A. CART
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
For those of us with friends and family far away, holiday gift-giving presents a special challenge.
The approach of December each year necessitates sending seasonal cheer via post and being sure not to miss mailing deadlines. If your list of holiday gift recipients includes loved ones celebrating elsewhere, read on.
Remember that, deadline or no, the sooner you mail your packages, the less you will stress yourself. You will also make it easier for the United States Postal Service to do its job. This year that task seems more daunting, especially as the USPS has been taxed by unique and difficult circumstances.
The situation is likely to remain fluid for the foreseeable future. Therefore, you'll want to start with plenty of common sense and maintain a willingness to adapt.
Nevertheless, here are a few suggestions to help you capture and share the joy-filled spirit of the season through your holiday shipping efforts.
What to leave out: When you're trying to decide what kinds of presents travel well, keep in mind a list of those that don't. In fact, many of these are prohibited, particularly in international packages. They include beverages, alcoholic and otherwise, dangerous goods, hazardous materials, firearms, live animals, plants, perishables, or items of unusual value.
Now with that out of the way, you'll want to consider items that cross the miles easily. These tend to be small, lightweight and not easily breakable. A framed photo. A child's artwork. Stuffed animals. A packet of dry soup mix with pasta in special holiday shapes. Scarves.
A professionally packaged tin of popcorn. A video (perhaps comprised of home movies). Audio tapes or CDs. Homemade brownies. (Avoid pastries or delicate cookies.) If you're willing to pack it carefully, a personalized mug with packets of instant hot chocolate, gourmet coffees or specially flavored tea bags.
While you're making your selections, though, be aware that as the package you're planning to ship grows, the costs to ship it escalate. If you're shipping internationally, packages that fall within the USPS definition of a & quot;small packet & quot; receive a significant price break.
Once you have gifts in hand, it's time to wrap. Even an inexpensive present can communicate volumes with a little carefully chosen tissue and tinsel.
Employ color and texture in your choice of paper and ribbon. You may want to use variously sized gift bags and raffia ribbon.
If you will be sending multiple gifts to one household, be sure to label gifts well and ensure that the tags are securely attached to each present. Consider using an ornament as your gift tag. (Or creating a gift tag that can be saved as an ornament).
Involving kids: Small children who want to be a part of the process can help, too. Let them use their artistic talents, a set of crayons, some stickers and perhaps finger paints (if you're brave) to transform large swaths of plain newsprint into colorful wrapping paper.
Or, if you have already selected the corrugated cardboard box in which items will be shipped, they can use that as their canvas instead. Just remind them to leave some space for an address label.
When the gifts are wrapped, it's time to package them for shipping. It's helpful to imagine yourself in the recipient's shoes at this point. For example, the last items placed in the box will be among the first to catch the recipient's eye when the box is opened.
Nice touches: Therefore, a cheerful note describing the various packages enclosed can be the last thing you place in the box before sealing the lid. (Perhaps the note can be written on the first sheet of an enclosed holiday notepad).
It's also helpful, if you've used plastic-foam peanuts or wadded other packing material around the various gifts, to tuck in as the very last item a large folded paper or plastic bag. Then the recipient can use the bag as a receptacle for the packing material while unpacking.
Finally, a light-hearted caution on the outside can let the recipient know that the box itself can be opened, but its contents are intended for the holidays.
Running late? Don't despair. Send the package anyway. If your gifts might arrive after the holidays but in time for the new year, include appropriate party favors.
Toss in a couple of paper hats and horns and a packet or two of confetti and streamers and work the delay to your favor. Really late? Include a few trappings for Valentine's Day!
As you're preparing for the holidays ahead, keep the members of the civil service in mind. Honoring deadlines and packaging in accordance with USPS regulations will serve as your gift to them.