101 Ideas: Pack your mailed gifts properly

Father's Day, graduations and weddings can quickly fill up the spring calendar, also making this a busy time of year for gift giving and shipping. Make sure gifts are properly packed and shipped with care so your loved ones receive them intact and on time.

Begin with the proper materials, including a new cardboard box designed for shipping (no gift or moving boxes), professional-grade packaging tape (no cellophane, masking or duct tape) and packaging material like foam peanuts or bubble cushioning (no newspapers or real popcorn).

Include a label on the inside of the package with both the destination and return addresses.

Use a shipping option that provides a package-tracking number.

Take batteries out of toys, electronics, etc., before shipping.

Ship wrapped gifts ahead to your destination, especially if traveling by air.

Courtesy of The UPS Store on hgtv.com

(For thousands of other ideas visit www.hgtv.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)

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