The Secret to Free Shipping to Your Better Half Abroad

I wish I myself could pedal all my gifts / packages to Dodong

I always make it a point to send something from home to Dodong every so often. But until this day, in our 435 days of being apart, I have never spent a single sent on the items I have shipped to him.

I am sharing with you a secret I have been doing to cut ALL shipping costs. This secret I actually learned from my mother's experience when she was working in the US. How to do it? Know more after the jump…

STEP 1: Get to know his friends from there.

I am just a lucky duck I guess that Dodong lives with a friend of ours. This makes step 1 much much simpler. But if you do not have a friend amongst his abroad friends, do get to know them one by one. They will definitely be part of your LDR life.

STEP 2: Establish a relationship with this set of friends.

This friend of ours we have known since our younger years (Read: Gradeschool days) so again the step is made extra simple for you. To establish a relationship is key to be able to ask favors from each other. It would be harder for you to ask a favor from a total stranger right? So warm up to his friends. It will definitely expand your own circle of friends and, at the same time, get to check up on your better half once in a while. Hehehe.

STEP 3: Get to know the schedules of his friend/s homecoming.

So you have time to prepare your little package and schedule when you would be able to visit this friend of his. Key to note on the date when they are flying back to whatever destination they came from, Dodong told me that this friend of ours came home last weekend for his daughter's 1st birthday party and he will be leaving for Dubai tomorrow evening. I am actually scheduled to drop off my package to Dodong today. If not today, maybe tomorrow morning
STEP 4: Make sure that your package is not too big nor too heavy.

Of course, when traveling, excess baggage is a major consideration. You wouldn't want to be charged so you make sure you are within limits. This applies to your better half's friends. So make sure you aren't sending him such a large or heavy gift. Send something that can fit easily in a back pack or a small carry on luggage. Send something that doesn't weigh a ton. I am actually sending over 2 small bars of soap. I know Dodong can buy soap but this is a special kind of natural organic bath soap I know he'd love. Plus a hand written love letter. Love letters are simply romantic, whether he likes it or not. Hehehe.

STEP 5: Prepare a small token of thanks for the bearer of goodies.

A small token of thanks would definitely be appreciated by the bearer of goodies. I am sure. One favor deserves another right? And since our friend's daughter celebrated her 1st birthday last week, I think I will just be bringing something for the little tyke.

I am really just excited to "see" Dodong receive his little gifts from home. I know he will love it especially now that he is feeling a tad bit (this is actually an understatement!) lonely and very homesick.

What do you do when you send a gift to your better half miles away from home?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay