In mid-December, many people are faced with the annual dilemma of what Christmas gift to give to their loved ones. However, this year many are also concerned whether they will have the opportunity to meet with their families over dinner and exchange gifts at all. Thus with the approaching holidays, almost 70% of people have decided to deliver gifts using parcel delivery service operators. In such a case, it is essential to remember that, in order to ensure safe delivery of your gift, the rules for packing parcels must also be observed.
As a result of the pandemic, the demand for delivery services and therefore the number of damaged parcels have increased. The main reason for damages is packaging which is not properly sealed or stable, usually resulting from the lack of knowledge about correct packing. So, in order to surprise someone with a gift, make sure to think of its secure packing as well, so it will be delivered intact.
“Your parcel is just as important to your courier as it is for you, therefore parcel delivery operators take special care of each parcel. However, in many cases, transit and unavoidable constantly changing weather conditions during the delivery may prove challenging to a poorly packed gift. Therefore, make sure that the packaging is sufficiently strong, all items contained in it are separately wrapped, any empty spaces are filled with protective materials, and that everything is sealed with an adhesive tape.”
Justas Šablinskas, General Manager of Venipak
Below are some suggestions from Venipak on how you can pack your parcel correctly and make sure that the special gift reaches your beloved person safely.
Strong packaging – half the work done
Although couriers are doing their best to ensure that your gifts reach the recipients safely, some help from the sender will never be too much. One of the most useful measures, in this case, is a well-chosen rigid packaging. You can use your imagination here whether to choose a rigid cardboard box, a padded envelope, a plastic bag, or a cardboard tube.
In order to prevent damage to the packaging or its content, it is necessary to assess the specific characteristics of the parcel – whether the item is powdery, fragile or perhaps moisture sensitive. In this context, all logistics experts will advise you never to send a parcel without additional packaging and will also remind you that the factory packaging of an item is insufficient for a long journey.
Remember that rigid packaging does not necessarily have to be new. With a growing interest in sustainable ideas, for example, 66% of Americans tend to look for eco-friendly solutions during holidays. They buy a sustainable, long-lasting gift and use materials at hand for packing. It is therefore recommended to look at what is available at home before buying new packaging material – many will find a hidden box in the wardrobe waiting for its second chance.
If you decide to re-use the packaging, it is useful to ensure that there are no old labels or bar codes on it, which must always be removed, otherwise, your parcel may end up not reaching your loved ones.
Bubble wrap, newspapers and cardboard are all you need for safe delivery
It is not sufficient to place the gift in the box – just as important it is to package each item separately and to fill the empty space with protective material: paper, shaving, cotton or plastic foam, air bubble pillows. For wrapping, used newspapers or bubble wrap are suitable as well.
Šablinskas notes that properly filled empty spaces of the parcel are particularly important when sending fragile or breakable items.
“If the empty space of the package is not properly filled, items inside may be at risk during the journey, because they will move inside, rub against each other and against the sides of the package hence increasing the likelihood of damage. Furthermore, do not use boxes that are too large for your gift, because without filling the space properly, there is a risk that the box may be compressed during transportation.”
Justas Šablinskas, General Manager of Venipak
Last step: a durable adhesive tape
After the sender takes care of the rigid packing, wraps the gift in a newspaper of bubble wrap, and fills in empty space, it is necessary to ensure that the package is sealed properly with a durable adhesive tape covering all exposed parts. Do not forget to apply the tape on all corners of the package, which will help to prevent the gift from additional impact.
“Since proper taping of the package is the last step to ensure that the gift is safe during the journey to your loved one, we tend to joke that there can never be too much of adhesive tape in packing. Apply the adhesive tape around the package in at least three places. And do not skimp on the tape, because where the tape is spared the box may not be able to hold the contents and open.”
Justas Šablinskas, General Manager of Venipak
Final note
The extraordinary Christmas this year will encourage many people to look for original ideas of how to deliver a gift to their loved ones, so a surprise message about an arriving Christmas gift or a gift waiting in the nearest parcel terminal will make every person happy. We hope that this advice will help you pack your gifts safely and you will wait stress-free for a happy call from your loved one about the safely delivered unexpected surprise.