To thirty addresses at once: sending Christmas hampers and group shipments without chaos
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
6 min reading time
Thirty packages to thirty addresses requires three choices beforehand: one fixed box size, smart purchasing, and a way to keep track of what's done. Along with the boxes, tape, and void fill you'll need for it.
Sending one package is easily done. Thirty packages to thirty different addresses is a different kind of job. Anyone doing it for the first time — a Christmas gift for staff, a thank you for all volunteers, a group order to be distributed among members — often only realizes halfway through where things go wrong: the address list is no longer correct, the boxes are just a little too big, the tape is gone, and no one remembers which package is already finished.
The good news: almost all problems with these types of shipments stem from three decisions you make before packing. Below they are listed, along with the associated items.
Decision 1: One packaging size for the entire batch
The greatest time saving is not in faster packing, but in not having to think. If every package gets the same box, you'll know the hand gesture after three, and the rest will come naturally. You'll also know exactly how much tape you need and how many boxes to order.
This means you adapt the contents to the box, not the other way around. Measure the largest item in the shipment and choose your size accordingly. A 2-meter mini tape measure (€4.95) is more convenient than a folding rule here, as you can also use it to measure along a round shape.
For flat, light contents, letterbox boxes work well. The recycled letterbox box of 180 x 115 x 28 mm (A6) comes in a bundle of 100 for €17.95; the A5+ variant of 255 x 160 x 28 mm costs €24.00 per 100. Pay attention to the height of 28 mm: that's the limit your contents must stay below. Check with your carrier what maximum thickness they apply before ordering a large bundle.
Doesn't it fit flat? Then the cardboard shipping box of 15 x 15 x 15 cm (€1.99) is a useful standard size for a mug, a jar, or a set of small items. If it's about real volume — a completely filled package — then the moving box of 480 x 430 x 330 mm with a 50-liter capacity for €3.50 is often the cheapest large box you can buy. Keep in mind that a 50-liter box falls into a more expensive size category with most carriers.
Decision 2: Buying in bulk or per piece
With two packages, it doesn't matter. With thirty, it does. Calculate it before you order.
When making such a comparison, pay attention to what you are comparing: the top roll has a different length than the two bundles below it, so only those two bundles can be compared one-on-one. And the lesson there is straightforward: a box of 36 rolls saves €0.50 per roll, which only pays off if you actually use them all. For a one-off action of thirty packages, one or two rolls are enough — count on roughly one and a half meters of tape per box if you use the H-method.
This is where things really go wrong with group shipments. You're on number nineteen, the phone rings, and afterward, you no longer know if nineteen was already closed.
Therefore, work with a numbered list and number your packages accordingly. A roll of white price stickers for the pricing gun (5,000 pieces, €9.95) is perfect for this: stick a number on the box, cross off the number on your list as soon as the label is on. No double work, no forgotten addresses.
Additionally, work in fixed rounds instead of package by package. First, fold all the boxes. Then, put all the contents in. Then, all the void fill. Then, close all the boxes. Then, all the labels. You only have to remember one action at a time, and at the end of each round, you can see at a glance if the numbers match.
Void fill: how much is enough?
The rule of thumb: if you shake the closed package and something moves, there's not enough void fill. For thirty packages, a roll is usually more convenient and cheaper than individual envelopes.
The bubble wrap roll of 500 mm x 500 m costs €12.95 and, with that length, is ample for a large batch. If you only have a limited number of fragile items, bubble wrap of 50 x 500 cm for €5.00 will suffice. Cut the sheets to size beforehand and stack them ready — that saves half a minute per package.
For light, flat items, you can skip the box and directly use a padded envelope. Bubble envelopes of 22 x 17 cm cost €0.90 each, the larger variant of 33 x 23 cm costs €0.80. A convenient detail for a group shipment: they come in different colors, so you can use color to distinguish groups — for example, one color per department or location.
If it contains something valuable
If gift vouchers, electronics or other attractive items are included, a VOID security seal (60 pieces, €9.95) is a cheap addition. Such a seal leaves a visible trace if someone removes it, so the recipient immediately sees if the package has been opened en route. Sixty seals for thirty packages means you can use two per box: one on each seam.
Finally, the tools. A tape dispenser with two rolls (€9.95) pays for itself with thirty packages in terms of time and straight edges. And make sure you're not fumbling with a kitchen knife when opening your own deliveries: a set of 8 utility knives costs €4.95, so there's one available even if two people are packing.
If you're unsure about the box size for your specific shipment, or want to know how much of something you need? Feel free to email info@verpakkingdeals.nl with the dimensions and quantity — we'll help you calculate.
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