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Christmas in Russia: How is it different?

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Whilst you gear up for your Christmas dinner on the 25th December, you might start a conversation with the rest of your family about Christmas worldwide and how it’s different in other countries across the world. It’s a subject that interests lots of people simply because Christmas is such a huge annual event.

Whilst you have many countries across the world not celebrating Christmas for religious reasons, there are also many countries that celebrate the big day very differently. One of these countries is Russia, the giant nation that remains to this day an ambassador of older annual traditions. Here are a few reasons why Russia celebrates Christmas differently compared to the vast majority.

Christmas was actually hardly celebrated across the Soviet Union if you look back throughout history. Nowadays it is widely celebrated, but not on the day you might think. In fact, Russia’s Christmas has already gone this year, about 11 months ago today.

Russia celebrates Christmas on the 7th January because they stick to the older “Julian” calendar when referring to religious events. Advent, the catholic celebration, lasts for 40 days in Russia, unlike in the UK where it traditionally lasts from the 1st Sunday of the Christmas season to the last. In the UK this year, the first Sunday of advent was on the 1st December and the last will be on the 22nd.

So if you’re getting your gifts ready to send internationally this year and you have a friend in Russia, you might want to consider that they celebrate Christmas Day on the 7th January. Wherever you choose to send your parcel, make sure you use the RAND Logistics services this Christmas!

Tips for Protecting Your eBay Parcel

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Christmas time has to be one of the busiest times for RAND and it’s usually due to the large amounts of gifts being sent across the world in time for the big day. In addition, eBay is seeing an incredible amount of people buying and selling their items as people look to find the perfect gift for their loved one. It’s important that you are aware of the basics when it comes to shipping parcels in order to protect the cherished item, so here’s a few tips for all you eBay sellers out there who plan on using RAND Logistics in the near future.

You should always box an item and this really should go without being mentioned. However, you should also fill out the box with protective layering in case the box is thrown about on its way to the addressee, so using bubble wrap to fill out the box is ideal. Try to make sure that the object is fully concealed in the box, however difficult it is to do so. You wouldn’t want to lose parts of the item in the shipping process.

If you’re searching around your home for the perfect box to fit your gift but simply can’t find one, there are a number of packaging techniques and items you can make the most of. From polystyrene and shredded newspaper through to bubble wrap and further empty boxes, there are all sorts of materials you can make the most of. The trick is to keep any spaces in the box covered.

RAND Logistics is a certified eBay courier and we strive to provide the best services for our eBay sellers so you don’t have to be concerned about items going missing in transit. So if you plan on shipping an item to your latest eBay buyer make sure you use the services RAND Logistics has to offer!

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 5

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It’s the last day of the week which brings to an end our series of Christmas gift ideas. As we’ve covered a variety of different groups of people it’s time to focus a bit more on context, which is why today’s Christmas gift ideas focuses on fashion. From the biggest hits of this year through to the trendiest outfits, we take a look at the gifts available out there that could really appeal to the modern audience.

Every year, there’s a wide range of different clothing trends throughout the Christmas period. Last year saw incredible success for the “onesie” as a Christmas gift and it looks like this year we’ll be seeing a lot more Christmas jumpers flying off the shelves. The knitwear has proved to be a big hit with all generations this year despite being ridiculed in the past were anyone foolish enough to wear it outside of their Nan’s company. The biggest stars in the business have flaunted Christmas jumpers this year already so it’s no surprise they are proving a massive success in all major clothing outlets.

It’s incredible when you compare the major trends of the last 50 years with this year when it comes to toys. There was a whole host of crazes that went in tandem with some of the most popular TV shows and films of the last few decades, such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Buzz Lightyear and the infamous Furby.

Today, Christmas toys are incredibly varied, with the Kuri 4S touch tablet device tipped to be a huge hit. Lego has always been a success at Christmas thanks to its innovative concept, whilst another hotly tipped toy for this Christmas is the Megableu Creepy Hand Game, a robotic hand that chooses the player to answer question itself!

With all these Christmas crazes set to hit the shelves, it might be a good idea to stock up on them before they go out of stock. Once you’ve got hold of them you can ship any gift internationally with RAND. Until then, a merry Christmas from everybody here at Rand Logistics!

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 4

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It’s the fourth day in our week of Christmas gift ideas and this time we will be looking at ideas for friends. If you have a close friend or someone you really care about, it’s usually a no-brainer to get them something that will really cheer them up this Christmas.

Having a close knitted group of friends is really important for some people, so making sure that they’re in your Christmas gift plans is essential. What’s more, many close friends may have left the country or travelled too far away for you to see them regularly, so shipping a parcel their way with RAND could be the perfect way to reinstate your friendship.

When buying a gift for a friend you should always consider their personal tastes. If it’s a close friend that you are buying for, think about some of the times you’ve spent with them in the past and get something with an element of positive nostalgia. On the other hand, you may want to make them laugh with something that you have joked about together over the last year.

On the other hand, you could make the most of a beautiful bouquet of flowers if you haven’t seen them for a significant amount of time, or something that could potentially result in a future gathering, such as a ticket for their favourite film or a theatre production.

So if you need to reconnect with friends who live abroad or want to ship a Christmas gift somewhere across the globe, RAND Logistics have the ideal services for you.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 3

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Today we are focusing on the ideal Christmas gift for a partner or loved on.  Whether you’ve just married, have only recently started a relationship or are currently situated away from each other due to a new job or road trip Christmas is the perfect opportunity to state your appreciation for someone and symbolise your loving relationship. So if your loved one is currently based in Dubai on a work trip or journeying through the cold in Russia somewhere, RAND Logistics can transport your cherished Christmas gift for you.

Nothing represents a loving relationship better than a small piece of memorabilia or jewellery. The perfect ring can be loved and cherished for many years in the future, making it the ideal gift to symbolise a strong bond between two people. Other kinds of jewellery including ornaments, bracelets, necklaces, watches and earrings can work just as well especially if they match the style and taste of your loved one.

On the other hand, some people symbolise strong relationships by getting something they know their partner will adore. This could be anything from a rare, special-edition vinyl set by The Beatles to their favourite bar of chocolate from a unique sweet shop. Ultimately, this kind of gift comes down to how much you know the person and since it’s a close relationship, you are likely to be able to really make them happy with your Christmas gift if you take this path.

All in all, the spirit of Christmas is perfect for rekindling long-lost friendships from across the globe, sparking new relationships and building upon existing ones. If you have a special gift to send to anywhere in the world, RAND Logistics can offer you the ideal service.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 2

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Our next Christmas gift idea looks at teenagers and the vast amounts of gift ideas available for this age group. Teenagers are much like children in that a lot of their cherished items will be given to them at Christmas or for their birthdays. The spirit of Christmas is essential for every teenager as they grow up, so it’s important that they embrace the season and are given presents they will always remember. If you have a teenage cousin or nephew living in Australia, Poland or anywhere else in the world, here are a few great gift ideas that you can ship this Christmas using RAND Logistics.

Teenagers will have identified their preferred theme by now, be it sport, nature, arts and crafts, video games, music or technology. Many younger teenage boys will be really into their sport or their video games, making the latest video game or a new football or piece of memorabilia the ideal Christmas gift.

Teenage girls might be in to all sorts of gifts, so you can play it safe and get something inspirational such as a musical instrument or an artistic set. Both teenage boys and girls will have their preferences, so you might want to find out what it is they like. However, inspirational gifts can be really effective for teenagers to motivate them to get in touch with their passions and talents.

So, if you can’t wait to ship an acoustic guitar, a great new pair of shoes or a toy helicopter to a far-away teenage relative for Christmas this year, make the most of the services RAND Logistics have to offer and get in touch with us today for a wider description of our services.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 1

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It’s officially the start of the Christmas season so what better blog to start than a daily guide on some of the best gift ideas available this Christmas that you can send internationally with RAND. The majority of people have their own personal tastes when it comes to gifts, so we’ll be separating out a few of the different target markets to give you the perfect ideas for your lucky friend or family member. Today, we’ll be focusing on younger children and some of the excellent gift ideas that have become available for this specific age group.

Kids absolutely adore the Christmas excitement and there’s nothing better than waking up to a full Christmas stocking on the morning of the 25th during your childhood. Kids will love the little time consuming toys, such as miniature table tennis sets and picture books. Depending on whether your child is a girl or a boy preferences will differ, so it’s important that you listen to what your child is in to at the moment, including TV shows or other forms of kid’s media entertainment.

It’s a good idea to purchase an item for a younger child that holds educational value. Educational toys are an excellent way of improving the skills of a child and getting them enthused by the prospect of learning, whether they are yet to start school or are well into their Key Stage 2 years.

So if you are feeling generous this Christmas and want to send a gift abroad to a distant relative, why not make the most of the services Rand Logistics has to offer over the Christmas period. Contact us today for further information about the services we can offer you.

A History of the Parcel: Day 5

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Our final instalment surrounding the history of the parcel focuses on postal services that date back as far as the seventeenth century. The postal system exploded into life during the 17th century with significant developments in the industry occurring across the UK and the US. The way in which parcel service’s ship items internationally has changed dramatically over the years, whilst you may be surprised to learn about the origins of the postal system in many countries and how local postage has changed since its introduction.

In 1635, Charles I made the first ever postage system available to the public, whereby the recipient would pay for any post or parcel that they received. This was the birth of the Royal Mail service in the UK. Meanwhile, four years later in the United States, the General Court of Massachusetts designated the tavern of Richard Fairbanks in Boston as the first postal establishment for the 13 colonies. It was known as the official repository of overseas mail.

In 1660, Charles II established the General Post Office which combined the state postal system and telecommunications in its services. Three years later, the Colony of Barbados welcomed the Imperial Post Office to its lands for the first time. Later in the century, William Dockwra introduced the London Penny Post, the first local postal service to come into existence. In the same century, Switzerland began using private postal services in Bern for the first time.

If you need to send a parcel abroad in the near future and need an up-to-date service that is certain to get your gift or item from A to B without incident, have a look at some of the services RAND Logistics has to offer.

A History of the Parcel: Day 4

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Our penultimate post surrounding the history of the parcel concentrates on significant changes that came around in the 1980’s and 90’s. Whilst these decades may seem particularly recent, there are still plenty of interesting facts to be known about how sending a parcel internationally changed in various ways. Here’s an overview of some of the major changes that happened throughout these particular decades with regards to the postal service.

The United States began using Electronic Computer Originated Mail (E-COM) in 1982. However, E-COM was only in use for a further three years after it was terminated completely by the USA in 1985. A year later, they introduced the ZIP + 4 in order to expand the coded system. In 1985, Jackie Strange became the first female deputy US Postmaster general.

In 1992, Canada became the first country to develop customisable stamps that were intended for greeting purposes. This particular form of stamp has become a phenomenon throughout major seasons such as Christmas and Easter time.

A number of countries began issuing their first ever set of stamps in the 1980’s and 1990’s, including Burkina Faso, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

If you need to send a parcel internationally, why not make the most of the services RAND Logistics has to offer?

A History of the Parcel: Day 3

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It’s time to take a look at the 1970’s in our latest instalment of the history of the parcel. Whilst many more countries began to issue their fist ever set of stamps, there were some major changes in postal structure for many countries across the globe throughout this decade, including the USA and Canada.

Between 1971 and 1979, many countries issued their first stamps including Benin, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Tuvalu and the Gilbert Islands which became Kiribati in 1979 and consequently issued new stamps.

The United States passed the Postal Reorganisation Act in the 1970’s, subsequently privatising the postal service.Seven years later, the USA made express mail permanent, after they had trialed the new form of mail since 1970. In 1978, the USA started to copyright postage stamps and other philatelic items.

In 1971, the privatised United States Postal Service began operating courtesy of the Postal Reorganisation Act. In the same year, Canada introduced six-character post codes for the first time. Three years later, the US stopped using the highway post offices. Railroad post offices also came to an end in 1977.

If you need to send a parcel internationally to countries such as the United States or Canada, RAND Logistics can provide you with the international parcels service that you require.