How To Post A Gift So It Arrives In One Piece

September 11, 2026

How to post a gift safely

Parcels get dropped, stacked and thrown. Pack for that, not for the shelf, and the pretty wrapping can survive inside a dull box.

Wrap the gift, then box the wrapping. Wrapping paper as the outer layer arrives shredded.

However it is wrapped, the card is the bit they read first and the bit they keep.

Use a box a size up from the gift so there is room for padding on every side.
Pad with scrunched paper, tissue or bubble wrap until nothing moves when you shake it.
Tape all seams, including the ones that look closed.
Put the address inside the box as well as on it, in case the label comes off.

Wrap each fragile item separately, then keep them apart inside the box.
Bottles need a purpose-made bottle box or heavy padding; glass and cardboard alone is a gamble.
Keep anything ceramic away from the box corners - that is where the impacts land.

Perfume, aerosols, nail varnish and lithium batteries are restricted or banned by most UK carriers.
Alcohol is allowed by some services and not others - check before you pay.
Nothing perishable that needs to stay cold, unless the service is next day and guaranteed.

For Christmas, post second class in the first week of December and first class by around the 18th - check the year's published dates.
Use tracked or signed-for postage for anything valuable.
Photograph the packed parcel before you seal it, in case you have to claim.
Post the card separately if the parcel might be late - it arrives on the day even if the gift does not.

Wrap the gift, then put it inside a padded box. Wrapping paper as the outer layer will not survive the sorting office.

Aerosols, perfume, nail varnish, lithium batteries and some alcohol are restricted. Check your carrier's prohibited list before sending.

Second class in the first week of December and first class around the 18th, but always check the carrier's published last posting dates that year.