No doubt, it feels great to receive balikayan boxes from family members abroad. The same feeling is shared by those who take the effort of preparing the gifts, packing them, and shipping them. However, as the peak season for sending them approaches during the busy last months of the year it becomes more important to ensure boxes are sealed well and shipment arrives in time. Christmas boxes are definitely more difficult to fill in when budget is tight.
So what are the good tips to remember when sending balikbayan boxes to the Philippines? Let’s find out from experienced senders and experts in this business of bringing happiness packaged in boxes.
1. Buy items little by little. The value of doing so is that you don’t hurry buying on goods your intended recipients may not need or use at all. It also allows you to explore discount sales for certain products you may not avail when you buy them all in one shopping trip. Also, buying certain items way ahead of shipping date may expire even before they arrive at their destinations.
2. Read through the catalogues. Identify which stores to shop around time and know when to pay a visit and avail of items on sale.
3. Check sale items on sale for expiry dates. Sometimes, sale items are yes — on sale — because they are expiring. So it is important to check expiry dates.
4. Never send perishable gifts. It is not a good idea to include fruits, vegetables, steak and other perishable products. They may spoil during transit and ma affect the condition of other items in the balikbayan box. Remember it takes weeks before boxes reach their destination.
Photo credit: efaustino
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