Holiday shipping survival guide
By Lynne Marsala Basche
During the 2016 holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service will deliver billions of cards and packages. While it may seem like shipping is the hard part, consider these suggestions to make the process hassle-free.
Shipping early is key to making sure packages arrive at their destination by Christmas. Not only is it more cost effective, but shipping early prevents dampened spirits when that special gift is not tucked under the tree due to an unexpected weather-related event. Post office locations and other mail-service providers in and around the Castle Pines area include:
Castle Rock: 300 East Miller Court
City of Castle Pines (Castle Pines Postal Center): 7280 Lagae Road, Suite G
Franktown: 7519 East State Highway 86
Highlands Ranch: 9609 South University Boulevard
Lone Tree (Lone Tree Postal): 9064 Forrstrom Drive, #B1
Louviers: 7895 Louviers Boulevard
Parker: 18695 Pony Express Drive, Parker and 6522 Keystone Boulevard, #A2
Sedalia: 4195 Douglas Avenue
Shipping tips include:
Choose the right gift. Think about what is easy to mail and survive a (possibly) rough ride to its destination.
Check any restrictions. Batteries and liquid items, for example, are prohibited. Be sure to check out www.usps.com/ship/shipping-restrictions.htm to see domestic and international restrictions.
Consider tracking and insurance. No one wants to spend more money than they have to, but there is always the possibility that a package will get lost or damaged in transit. Be sure to keep any tracking and insurance information until after the package safely arrives.
The following mail-by dates are guidelines to make sure packages arrive by Christmas through the U.S. Postal Service. (For more information on APO/FPO/DPO and other international mail, visit www.usps.com):
December 2: Parcel airlift military mail
December 9: First-class and priority military mail
December 15: Domestic standard post
December 16: Priority mail express military mail
December 20: First-class mail
December 21: Priority mail
December 23: Priority mail express (check your local post office)
The Castle Pines UPS Store, located at 558 Castle Pines Parkway, is another shipping option, and they offer packaging services for an additional fee. For delivery by December 24, keep the following dates in mind:
December 19: Using UPS 3-day select
December 21: Using UPS 2-day air
December 23: Using UPS Next-day air
Visit www.ups.com for additional information.
