Shipping your Christmas presents.....free supplies

Free shipping supplies..too good to be true?
Want to avoid those long lines at the post office? They'll send you packing and shipping supplies for free- and pick up your packages, also free of charge.
You can go to usps.com and order free packaging supplies, including tape, labels, priority mail boxes for mailing videos, DVDs or CDs. You'll have to click around a bit to find all the merchandise, but start clicking on "supplies" at the bottom of the home page. The boxes and other supplies that are available at no charge are mixed in with the supplies that do come with a fee.
Once you get your packages ready, you can go back online to usps.com/pickup and the Postal Service will come to your home or office and pick up the package.
The Post Office also will send a free military care kit that includes priority mail boxes, tape and even custom forms with envelopes. To order a military kit, call 800-610-8734.
Why is the Post Office being so generous? The service is offered year-round, said spokes-woman Joanne Veto. But during busy seasons, getting the right packaging supplies to customers helps the Post Office process the mail faster too, she said.----Vicki Lee Parker, (Raleigh News and Observer)

For further help:
Post Office: Go to the nearest post office or have packages picked up at home at no additional cost. Input the package information at www.usps.com, including the weight (use a bathroom scale and round up) and print a mailing label or call 800-275-8777.
Fedex: Take packages to most Kinko's stores, schedule a pickup at www.fedex.com after printing labels from the site or call 800-463-3339.
UPS: Go to any UPS store, schedule a pickup at www.ups.com after printing labels from the site or call 800-742-5877.--Star Tribune (Minn.)

Last Days to Ship (to insure arrival before Dec. 25)
Parcel airlift mail to the military via the Post office: Dec.4.
UPS standard:Dec.15(including shipments to Canada).
Parcel post via the post office: Dec. 15(can take up to nine days, with no guarantee).
Fedex ground and home delivery: Dec. 17 (Dec.14 for shipments to Canada).
Fedex express saver: Dec. 19
UPS 3-day select:Dec. 19
UPS 2nd day air: Dec. 20.
Letters, cards and priority mail via the post office: Dec.20 (two to three days, with no guarantee).
UPS next day air:Dec. 21(or 22nd for an additional fee).
Fedex Overnight: Dec. 22.
Express mail via the post office: Dec. 22.
Keep in mind: The quickest turn arounds, are far from cheap, with some services ranging from $66 for a 20-pound Express Mail package via the post office to upwards of $150 for FedEx Overnight and UPS Next Day Air.
More Specific: For other deadlines, including those for international shipping visit www.usps.com, www.ups.com or www.fedex.com. --- Courtney Devores

Best Deals
For overnight delivery: The post office which guarantees delivery by noon or 3 p.m.
For small, heavy packages: The post office's Flat Rate. You must use one of two boxes provided by the post office (11-by 8.5by 5.5 inches or 13.5-by -12-by-3.5inches)but it's $8.95 regardless of weight and is shipped Priority.
For tracking your package: FedEx and UPS. The post office offers tracking service on Express Mail only.--Star Tribune (Minn.)