The holiday season doesn’t necessarily have to be a down economy. While airlines have increased ticket prices and begun charging for everything, from peanuts to checked bags, Americans can still find and ship perfect gifts with small budgets.

Creative holiday gifts seem to have the future. You can make beautiful crafts from your home, such as beaded jewelry and plush animals. Online auction and price-comparison websites can be used by less-skilled Americans to locate steals.

However, it can be hard to get gifts from one place to another. It is possible for holiday travelers to resist buying gift bags. To save fuel costs, some families may choose to stay at home.

Gift shipping is a great option for Americans with limited cash. Even people who have flights booked can send packages for less than it takes to check in their bags.

Pak Mailwww.pakmail.comThis is a complete-service crating, packing and shipping franchise that has locations across the country. It offers these tips to help you get safer, more affordable shipping.

Always plan ahead. Holidays arrive at the exact same time each year so you don’t need to take them by surprise. Avoid rush delivery charges by sending your items early. Mail your packages before you fly if you’re traveling. You can avoid additional security lines or fees for your checked bags.

– Consolidate all your gifts. You can still have your brother and his kids under one roof so combine all their gifts into one big box. It costs less to send one 20-pounder than two 10-pound boxes.

Comparison shop Different carriers offer different rates. Before you commit to a company, get several quotes. Pak Mail is one such shipping center that allows customers to ship packages using multiple carriers.

– Ship safely. For items that are hazardous, you should check packaging guidelines, weight restrictions and shipping requirements. In case of damage or unreadable labels, make sure you have extra addresses labels.

The professionals are available to help you. You might need custom packaging for fragile or unusual gifts.