Hints For Mailing Holiday Packages

HINTS FOR MAILING HOLIDAY PACKAGES
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     The holiday season is once more upon us, and those who have presents to send to friends abroad are already purchasing and preparing their gifts for transmission through the mails.
     Last year the Argus had an article giving its readers hints as to what it was wise to do in preparing their packages for mailing, but as people are not expected to remember such things a whole year, we believe our readers will thank us for again referring to the matter.
     In the first place, have your packages firmly and securely wrapped. This is very essential, especially if they are to go any distance. Then do not wait until the rush, which often causes delay, and delay at such times is very unpleasant, to say the least.
     The postage on all merchandise is 1 cent per oz. or fraction thereof, which rate applies to the majority of presents sent.
     On printed books, music, on photographs, engravings, etc., the rate is 1 cent for every 2 ozs. or fraction thereof. Magazines and periodicals go for 1 cent for every 4 ozs. or fraction thereof.
     Do not seal any of your packages or put letters in them, as that will compel you to pay first class rates, which is 2 cents for each ounce or fraction of an ounce. 
     It costs but a trifle, 8 cents, to register your packages and so insure their safety. Besides, in this way you have the satisfaction of having a receipt returned to you from the person addressed, and thus being relieved of all doubts.
     To secure immediate delivery use a 10 cent special delivery stamp.This saves the person whom you send from going to the office for the parcel, which is a favor often appreciated, especially when that person is in poor healthy or an invalid.
     You are permitted to enclose a card in your parcel bearing the name of the recipient and your name, with the compliments of the season, but if you write anything more it will subject the package to first class rates.
     If you are careful in wrapping your packages there is very little danger of their being lost. Three-fourths of the complaints regarding lost mail matter is the result of either insecure wrapping of parcels or of mistakes made in directing the same.