Give your Valentine's care packages some TLC
Issue date: 1/31/10 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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Equal care should be taken to ship those goodies. Knowing how to pack and ship your gifts goes a long way toward getting them to their destination intact and on time.
"We know how important a care package can be," said Larry Adler, The UPS Store franchisee. "That's why we're always happy to show our customers how to pack their baked goods and gifts with a little extra TLC."
Adler shares these simple tips to help you create a special care package for your Valentine.
Packing baked goods
+ Send items that will travel well - oatmeal, sugar or peanut butter cookies, brownies, molasses bars, biscotti, shortbread, dried fruit or snack mixes and hard candy are all good shipping candidates.
+ Use a coffee can or a potato chip canister as a cookie cutter and then use the same container to ship the cookies; they will stack perfectly and won't crumble.
+ Avoid items that can't withstand heat or other extreme temperatures, such as chocolate or foods that require refrigeration.
+ Prepare foods immediately before packing and shipping, and allow them to cool completely before boxing them up.
+ Pack soft cookies with a slice of bread to help them to retain moisture. Don't package crisp cookies in the same container as soft ones; moisture from the soft ones will soften the crisp ones.
+ Pound cakes and loaf breads can be baked and shipped in disposable foil pans after being sealed in plastic wrap.
Shipping the care package
+ Seal all perishable items in an interior airtight container or plastic bag before packing them. Consider sending your treats via UPS Next Day Air or another expedited shipping method.
+ Fill air gaps with squares of bubble cushioning to soften the vibration and prevent cookies or brownies from breaking.
+ Use a new box specifically designed for shipping, and wrap each item in bubble cushioning surrounded by at least two inches of packaging peanuts.
+ Make sure your gift recipients will be in town to receive their tasty treats. If no one is there to accept delivery of the package, it could sit on a porch or in a warehouse over the weekend. To find your local The UPS Store, visit www.theupsstore.com.
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