The holiday season brings one of the busiest shipping periods of the year. With increased demand, tighter delivery windows, and higher volumes moving through freight networks, it’s more important than ever to take the right steps when sending valuable, fragile, or time-sensitive packages.
Whether you’re shipping gifts, personal items, equipment, or high-value goods, careful preparation ensures your shipments arrive safely and on schedule. Below are key considerations to help you navigate the holiday rush—along with why custom crating is one of the most reliable ways to protect important items.
1. Plan and Ship Earlier Than Usual
Holiday shipping networks fill up quickly. Carriers often experience:
- Higher package volume
- Weather-related disruptions
- Longer processing times
- Earlier cut-off dates
Sending your packages early avoids delays and ensures they’re not caught in the seasonal bottleneck.
2. Understand What You’re Shipping
Holiday shipments aren’t limited to standard boxes—they may include:
- Fragile gifts
- Antiques or artwork
- Electronics
- Machinery or equipment parts
- Oversized or irregular items
Identify the fragility, weight, and size of your items so you can choose the most secure packing method.
3. Use Proper Packaging Materials
Standard packaging is often not enough during the busiest season, when items experience more handling and stacking.
Always use:
- Heavy-duty boxes
- Industrial-grade padding and foam
- Reinforced tape
- Moisture-resistant materials
Packages should be tightly packed inside to prevent movement or impact damage.
4. Consider Crating for Maximum Protection
Custom crating provides one of the highest levels of protection available—especially for items that are valuable, delicate, oversized, or irreplaceable.
Why Crating Is Ideal During the Holiday Season
- Protects against heavy stacking and rough handling
- Shields items from moisture, cold, and weather exposure
- Offers structural support for odd-shaped or heavy goods
- Prevents shifting or impact damage
- Provides secure, tamper-resistant packaging
For clients shipping high-value equipment, sensitive electronics, artwork, or fragile goods, crating is often the best option to ensure safe arrival—no matter how busy the season gets.
5. Label Clearly and Accurately
With millions of packages moving each day, proper labeling helps prevent delays or misrouting.
Labels should include:
- Sender and receiver details
- Contact numbers
- Handling notes (e.g., Fragile, This Side Up)
- Any compliance or documentation required for special shipments
Clear labeling is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce risk.
6. Choose the Right Shipping Method
Not all packages should travel the same way. Consider:
- Standard ground or air shipping
- Expedited services for time-sensitive deliveries
- Freight services for large or heavy shipments
- Secure carriers for valuable or crated goods
Aligning the shipping method with the importance and vulnerability of your items ensures better handling throughout transit.
7. Insure Your Items When Necessary
With increased holiday activity comes increased risk. Insurance is especially recommended for:
- High-value packages
- Fragile or specialty items
- Custom crated shipments
- Irreplaceable goods
Insurance offers peace of mind in case of unexpected issues.
Why Choose Our Company
Sending packages during the holiday season requires planning, durable packaging, and the right protective measures. With heightened shipping volumes and fast-moving timelines, choosing secure packing options—especially custom crating—can make all the difference in keeping your important items safe.
When you need reliable, secure, and professionally built packaging solutions, consider our company.
We specialize in custom crating, protective packing, and secure shipping preparation to ensure your packages arrive safely—even during the busiest time of the year.