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