The holidays come with a long “to-do” list but packing gifts and hauling luggage shouldn’t be part of it.   At more than 4,500 locations across the U.S., The UPS Store Certified Packing Experts and the Pack & Ship Guarantee can help deliver “Holidays Made Easy.”

 “At The UPS Store, our goal is always to help our customers solve their packing, shipping, printing, and business service problems,” said Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store. “This time of year, solving those problems might mean shipping fragile or oversized gifts, or providing a secure mailbox where customers can receive all of their online orders. Whatever the need, we’re here to make the holidays a little easier.”

With the Pack and Ship Guarantee, if an item is somehow lost or damaged the customer will be reimbursed the cost of packaging materials and service, as well as shipping costs. For those who prefer to pack gifts themselves, The UPS Store offers several tips:

·         Take batteries out of items before shipping.
·         Use a sturdy new box with secure corners to provide additional protection. Do not use old boxes or gift boxes to ship gifts, or string or wrapping paper on the outside of the package.
·         Use at least two inches of packaging material on each side of your item.
·         Make sure the sender’s and recipient’s addresses are visible both inside and outside of the package.
·         Use packing tape on all package seams. Do not use masking, cellophane or duct tape.
·         December 23rd is the last day to ship all UPS Next Day Air® packages in time for Christmas Day (delivery on Thursday, Dec. 24).

For additional holiday packing and shipping tips, visit The UPS Store YouTube channel for a series of helpful videos that provide the do’s and don’ts of holiday packing and shipping, crucial ship-by dates and suggestions for shipping gifts ahead of holiday travel.

In addition to packing help, The UPS Store® luggage box, luggage shipping and mailboxes can also help make the holidays a little easier. Instead of having the stress and physical toll of lugging around your suitcase, The UPS Store can ship it for you!   Worried about doorstep theft while travelling or at work?  The UPS Store mailbox option provides a secure location to receive holiday gifts, packages and other deliveries.

This holiday season, The UPS Store is partnering with the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, which supplies books to less fortunate children providing an opportunity to succeed in school and beyond.  During the month of December, The UPS Store will make a one dollar donation on behalf of anyone who shares their favorite children’s book on social media using #ReadItForward up to $50,000.