Stressless Holiday Shipping with FedEx (and a chance at an iPod Touch!)

I've already posted the shipping deadlines for the season, and I know that shipping can be the most stressful part of the holidays (right after holiday travel).

In fact, shipping can be stressful any old time!

So here's my first special tip for stress-free holiday shipping: when shipping wrapped Christmas or Hanukkah gifts, put clear packing tape over the gift label on your wrapped gift. This keeps the gift tag from falling off and causing chaos when your recipients get them--you don't want Grandma mistaking your teen's latest Metal CD for one of her presents! And the teens might not be too keen on that Snuggie you ordered for her, either.

My second tip? Rely on FedEx. I had to ship back a (*gulp*) laptop recently, and I knew I could trust FedEx to get it back in a timely manner and to take care of that package while it was in transport. I was able to schedule a pickup time and have them come to my house so I could hand it right to the FedEx guy. That REALLY eased my worries about returning a computer!

FedEx just really gets it, you know? They recognize, for example, that while we may be tired of waiting in long lines (I know I am), we also want--even need, in this tough economy--to find the best deals for shipping out our gifts this holiday season. We just can't afford to pay high rates. And since we have enough to do with all the shopping (unless you are one of the lucky ones whose spouse and children actually go out holiday shopping...yeah, right!), we really do need a one-stop solution.

So FedEx is helping us all to save time and money this holiday season with discounts!

Here's an example: When you visit a FedEx Office location, shipping with FedEx Ground costs 10% less than with UPS. And while you are there, the new FedEx Office Print & Ship Centers offer tips and help on shipping unusually-shaped or large-sized containers. They will even help you figure out how to ship safely while cutting down on the weight of your package, so that shipping will cost you less.

In-store or online (more about FedEx online in a minute), you can design calendars for your family, or you can print customized holiday newsletters to let the rest of the clan know what your kids are up to. You can even get personalized holiday cards, which FedEx will deliver to the local FedEx center or right to your entire Christmas list! Now THAT'S a time-saver.

Even better, you can save up to 16% on FedEx Express services and 8% on FedEx Ground and Home Delivery if you sign up on the FedEx site this season. Now, if that wasn't incentive enough (and saving money is a pretty good incentive, IMHO), they're running a contest!

Anyone who signs up for a free account on FedEx.com as a result of this post and records their name and confirmation number here:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229YSQDALUE

Will be entered to win ONE OF 5 APPLE IPOD TOUCHES!

Okay, I KNOW you have to be psyched now. Remember, you don't have to do anything other than sign up for that free account on Fedex. I just did it myself, and it is really easy. Took me five minutes. Then I just entered it in that link above and presto, I might be a winner!

So you really have nothing to lose, and wouldn't someone on your list just LOVE to get an Apple iPod Touch?

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of FedEx and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.