While holiday gift giving can put a pinch on your budget, there's an often forgotten additional expense with gifts which can unexpectedly take another big bite out of your budget. While many people are price conscious in regard to the actual gift they buy, many forget to consider the cost of sending the gift to the recipient. Shipping costs can add a significant amount to the price of the gift and may actually cost more for large or heavy items.
When purchasing a gift for a friend or relative that must be sent through the mail, consider opting for a
gift of money instead of the actual gift. You can then send an amount that is greater than the cost of the item giving the recipient the money you would have spent on shipping as a bonus or keep the money to help stay within your holiday budget. Either way, you or the recipient will benefit and not the post office.
If a physical gift is a must, the type of gift you choose can reduce the amount you pay for shipping. The old post office "book rate" is now referred to as "media mail." Books, magazines and other print material still qualify, but newer forms of media such as VCR tapes, CDs and DVDs also qualify for this rate. By picking a gift that falls under one of these categories, you can send it at a discounted rate.
Another option is to order your holiday gifts from a catalogue or online website that offers free shipping (be aware that the shipping isn't really "free" - the cost is made up someplace) and have the gifts sent directly to the recipient. This allows you to send a physical gift, but also has the added benefit that the recipient can easily return or exchange the gift if they desire.
Subscriptions to either a website or a favorite periodical can be an excellent gift that avoids shipping costs. If you plan far enough ahead, there are many
magazine subscriptions that can be ordered for free, but they usually take several months to arrive.
Timing will also play a role in the amount you must pay for shipping. Waiting until the last minute will require you to send the gift by an express method to get it there on time and greatly increase your shipping costs. Planning ahead and purchasing gifts early will not only reduce your stress during the holiday season, it will also save you money on your shipping costs.
The best way to factor in these expenses into your holiday budget is to mark the gifts on your list that will be delivered by mail and not handed to the recipient by hand. If you have several gifts in mind, the shipping cost of each may determine the best one to give. By noting the gifts that must be sent through the mail, you avoid this forgotten expense from being a budget breaker.
Reducing Christmas Present Shipping Costs
