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