How to Save Money Sending Gifts Long Distance

You don’t have to spend a fortune to send someone a present. There are plenty of ways to get around expensive shipping costs. Here’s how to save money on shipping gifts long distances.

One of the best ways to save money is to look at either flat rate shipping or special types of shipping like media mail.

Save Money with Flat Rate Shipping

Flat rate shipping is one of the most cost-effective options for sending international packages. The price you pay depends on which country you’re shipping to and what type of package it is. For example, if you want to ship an item from the United States to Canada, your total will likely be around $40.

However if you’re shipping within the same country Flat Rate Shipping with the US Post Office starts at just $8.95 for a small envelope up to $21.50 for a 12″x12″ box weighing up to 70 pounds. 

However if your item is on the large side but doesn’t weigh much, you should consider checking the price of shipping without a flat rate box. 

Save Money Shipping with Media Mail

If you’re shipping media like books, CDs, DvDs, Scripts and more, you can save a significant amount of money by shipping through USPS Media Mail. 

It starts at just $3.19 for 1 lb, and can increase based on weight. 4 pounds costs $5.08.

Save Money on Shipping with Forever Pricing

Forever pricing allows you to purchase postage for the current price and it will still be good even if the price for the service rises.

You see this most often with stamps. The cost of the stamps in 2011 was just $0.45 compared to today’s $0.60. Even though they cost less than today’s stamp they would still work the same as today’s current price for stamps.

However, they have also expanded to offer a Prepaid Forever Priority Mail Flat Rate, starting at $8.95. If this cost of the flat rate mailing increases (which it has, it was less than $6 ten years ago), you can still save the difference with the Prepaid Forever Priority Mail Flat Rate packages.

Unfortunately, saving with forever pricing is a long game, buy more now that will still be good in the years to come. But there are other ways to save on shipping, especially shipping gifts long distances.

Save on Shipping Gifts By Shopping Online and Delivering Directly to the Recipient

The first way to save money on shipping is to shop online. When you order something online, you can usually find a way to qualify for free shipping. This means that you won’t need to worry about paying for shipping because the company will take care of it.

This is great for people who live far away from stores where they can pick up their purchases. However, it does mean that you’ll need to wait longer for your package to arrive.

Another option is to deliver directly to the recipient. Some companies allow you to schedule delivery times so you can choose when to drop off the gift.

Another benefit of delivering directly to the recipient is that you can avoid the fee for shipping from your home to theirs. If you want gift wrapping you can usually pay an additional fee for that service, that is likely less than shipping would be, include a gift receipt with a custom message and you’re good to go.

Use Coupons

If the site you’re shopping doesn’t offer free shipping, for example like Amazon Prime offers it’s members, then do a quick google search for a coupon that can save you on shipping.

Coupons are another way to save money on gifts. Many retailers offer coupons for free shipping or discounts on shipping.

For example, Walmart offers free 2 day shipping on orders over $35. It’s not always available, however, so you might have to check each store’s website to see what deals they have.

Gift them a Gift Card to Avoid High Shipping Costs

One last tip for saving money on shipping is to give the gift card instead. Instead of buying a physical item, you can use a gift card to save on shipping.

There are many different options for gift cards. For example, you can send a Visa gift card which will cover any type of transaction at any location. Or get them a gift card to their favorite store, that way you know they will love whatever they buy.

If you get a physical gift card you can usually include it in a card and mail the envelope for the cost of a couple stamps.

If you get an e-gift card you have have it emailed to them for free.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gifting Long Distance

If you’re still not sure what to gift long distance without spending a small fortune on shipping, read on to see our answers to the most common questions.

How do you gift long distances?

The first thing to consider is whether it makes sense to ship the item at all. If you’re sending something like a book, then it may not be worth the cost buy locally and then to ship it across the world. Instead, consider buying it online and having it deliver directly to the gift recipient.

What can I send in a long-distance relationship package?

A lot of people think they can’t afford to ship a gift overseas. But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Consider using a flat rate shipping box and filling it with gifts that share a special meaning between you two. Photos, gift cards, home baked goods, even books make perfect gifts.

What is a good gift for a long-distance best friend?

An amazing gift for a long-distance friend is something they’ll enjoy using. If it’s something like a new phone case or headphones, then it will last longer than a typical gift card. Or if you know they plan on traveling soon, consider getting them something to make travel easier, a neck pillow or gift card to cover travel costs.

For example, if you know they are going on a Disney cruise, consider getting them a Disney gift card.

How do I make my long-distance boyfriend feel special on his birthday?

If you want to surprise him with something he’ll love, consider giving him a gift card to one of his favorite stores. He might not realize it, but he loves shopping at those places anyway.

You could also choose a local shop where he likes to go. Maybe you could take him to a restaurant he likes or maybe you could just treat him to dinner together via zoom.

How much to give for a wedding that I am not attending?

Weddings are expensive! While you don’t need to spend thousands on a wedding gift, you should definitely try to find something thoughtful that your friend would appreciate. A nice bottle of wine, flowers, chocolates or even a fun souvenir from the destination wedding are great ideas.

When in doubt, you can’t go wrong getting them something off of their wedding registry.

Bottom Line

Gifts are important when you’re in a long-distance situation. It’s easy to forget about birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc.

There are many reasons why you might want to gift long distance. Perhaps you’re looking to show your appreciation for a job well done, or perhaps you’d like to let someone know they mean a lot to you. No matter what reason you have, we hope this article has helped you decide which presents to get and how to save money on shipping.