This isn't quite a gift, but it's regarding what you send gifts in so I'm assuming this is the place I'd put it.
My partner lives internationally, so even something larger-but-light can cost around 20.00, and something small can cost around 15.00, not to mention that that's first-class... These approximations are the cost of sending the package, not the cost of what went in to the package, and not the cost of the box itself, the latter of which I never have to pay.
Although I'm sure some already do this, the one money-saving tip I have is to recycle your boxes. I've used everything from small brown boxes to a Victoria's Secret box to a pretzel box. Everything I get in the mail, that comes boxed, I keep. Everything my mother gets in the mail, that comes boxed, I steal. I deal with the printed labels or with the labels, brand names, etc. on the outside of the box (such as the pretzel box or the Victoria's Secret box) with duct tape. I usually use silver duct tape for where I'm going to be printing his address and my return, but I go wild with what colour/pattern of duct tape I use on the sides; sometimes I use silver and decorate/colour those personally. I imagine if you had brown paper bags, from like a grocery store, you could use the brown paper to cover the printed box sides and tape it down as opposed to using duct tape, but I always worry about the paper tearing! And so I've let duct tape become fool-proof. I've even made sturdy boxes by cutting the sides of flat boxes and putting them together so that the sides became practically unbendable.
I simply wanted to suggest this as post office boxes can get quite pricey, especially if you're already spending money on international shipping and on gift items. I would say all of what I mentioned takes around 10 minutes, maybe 20 minutes if you're making your own box, and tack on time if you're colouring/decorating the sides, but for me, saving that 12.00+ that would be going towards a box is worth it. And yes, I do realise that one would have to buy the duct tape if they don't already have it handy, but I can usually get a couple boxes done with one roll. So it's a 5.00 purchase that saves me 24.00 on what would be two small boxes. :P
EDIT -- I should note this tip is only good if you're prepared to have the postman look at you like o.O when you bring him a silver, bomb-like box.
My partner lives internationally, so even something larger-but-light can cost around 20.00, and something small can cost around 15.00, not to mention that that's first-class... These approximations are the cost of sending the package, not the cost of what went in to the package, and not the cost of the box itself, the latter of which I never have to pay.
Although I'm sure some already do this, the one money-saving tip I have is to recycle your boxes. I've used everything from small brown boxes to a Victoria's Secret box to a pretzel box. Everything I get in the mail, that comes boxed, I keep. Everything my mother gets in the mail, that comes boxed, I steal. I deal with the printed labels or with the labels, brand names, etc. on the outside of the box (such as the pretzel box or the Victoria's Secret box) with duct tape. I usually use silver duct tape for where I'm going to be printing his address and my return, but I go wild with what colour/pattern of duct tape I use on the sides; sometimes I use silver and decorate/colour those personally. I imagine if you had brown paper bags, from like a grocery store, you could use the brown paper to cover the printed box sides and tape it down as opposed to using duct tape, but I always worry about the paper tearing! And so I've let duct tape become fool-proof. I've even made sturdy boxes by cutting the sides of flat boxes and putting them together so that the sides became practically unbendable.
I simply wanted to suggest this as post office boxes can get quite pricey, especially if you're already spending money on international shipping and on gift items. I would say all of what I mentioned takes around 10 minutes, maybe 20 minutes if you're making your own box, and tack on time if you're colouring/decorating the sides, but for me, saving that 12.00+ that would be going towards a box is worth it. And yes, I do realise that one would have to buy the duct tape if they don't already have it handy, but I can usually get a couple boxes done with one roll. So it's a 5.00 purchase that saves me 24.00 on what would be two small boxes. :P
EDIT -- I should note this tip is only good if you're prepared to have the postman look at you like o.O when you bring him a silver, bomb-like box.
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