| A word of advice. Try to plan your gift giving in | | | | Christmas. That costs money. I used the UPS |
| advance. Don't wait to the very last minute. Last | | | | calculator to find the estimated cost of shipping a 1 lb |
| minute gifts would probably cost you more than you | | | | package by UPS, using the 2 day delivery, within U.S. |
| might anticipate.Take a calendar and your organizer. | | | | and the shipping cost alone was around $29.42. For |
| Circle every birthday, your wedding anniversary, | | | | UPS next day air saver, the shipping price was |
| christmas and all gift giving dates on the calendar for | | | | $34.03. For UPS next day air, the shipping cost was |
| the entire year. For starters get an extra calendar | | | | $36.28. The shipping cost of the package alone |
| just for your gifts to simplify your gift giving.Plan | | | | makes last minute gift giving rather expensive.If you |
| ahead a few weeks in advance. For each date, who | | | | missed the shipping deadlines, the next best bet |
| are the persons you intend to get gifts for. What is | | | | would to skip the excess shipping costs by sending |
| your budget? What would you give that | | | | an online gift certificate. These are electronic gift |
| person?Shop online for the gift. Now, this is why I | | | | certificates that you can send by email. No shipping |
| say it is cheaper to plan ahead than wait for the | | | | costs or shipping time required. Not as impressive as |
| very last minute. If you wait until a day or two | | | | sending a nice package, but still better than |
| before the event, you would probably have to go | | | | nothing.Another reason why you should do your gift |
| for overnight shipping. If you order long in advance, | | | | buying preparations in advance is that you can take |
| you can take the cheapest shipping method possible. | | | | advantage of free gift cards to buy your gifts. All |
| The shipping cost between the different shipping | | | | that takes time. There are a few such gift cards and |
| options can vary considerably.Some places offer free | | | | free gifts available at Basically, you answer some |
| ground shipping within U.S. for a minimum order size. | | | | questions in surveys and get a gift certificate or gift |
| For this free or relatively cheap ground shipping, you | | | | card or free gift in return for your participation. Now |
| have to order ahead of time. For example, if you | | | | if you do this way before the deadline, you would |
| want your gift to make it in time for Christmas within | | | | have time to complete the survey, get the gift |
| U.S., you have to order it by December 16th latest. | | | | certificate, go to the store and get the gifts. You |
| Now if you miss that 16th December deadline, you | | | | save even more money getting your gifts that |
| would have to go for faster, more expensive | | | | way.That said, last minute gifts should be the last |
| shipping options. Between 16th December to 20th | | | | resort. Be wise and prepare your gifts ahead of |
| December, you would probably have to go for the | | | | time.The writer is the webmaster of Here is where |
| UPS 3-Day shipping in order to make it in time for | | | | you can get online gift certificates. |