New Year’s Across the World #5

It’s the last day of recognition for the New Year on our blog and we take a look at how New Year’s is celebrated in our last country, Greece. There are plenty of Greek traditions that are carried out on New Year’s which makes Greece a wonderful tourist destination at the change of the year. Here are a few notable events that take place on the New Year’s celebrations in Greece.

The most notable of traditions in Greece is the kremmida decoration, the process of hanging an onion on a door. This bizarre tradition is immensely popular in Greece with strict traditionalists and it represents the birth of a New Year. For the Christians that are preparing for church on New Year’s Day, parents will tap the heads of their children with the kremmida to wake them up. This is also regarded as a traditional act. To symbolise good fortune for the coming year, Greeks will place a pomegranate on the doorstep of their home before entering on the 1st January.

Are you planning on shipping a gift to Greece in the New Year? If so, make sure you take full advantage of the services RAND have to offer. Get your quote here and discover our attractive shipping rates.

New Years Across the World #4

Our fourth day of this week commemorating the New Year focuses on celebrations in the Czech Republic. The Czechs are known for putting on gargantuan firework displays on New Year’s Eve. It is also an extremely popular tourist destination for times such as New Years Eve when the clubs and pubs are at their most jovial. Here’s what to expect from a New Year’s celebration in the Czech Republic.

In the capital city of Prague, the famous Charles Bridge hosts a wondrous fireworks display every year to celebrate the start of the New Year. Once the clock strikes midnight, the fireworks begin and they attract tourists from all over the world.

As is the case in the UK and in many other countries across the world, drinking, eating, partying and celebrating are all high on the list of priorities to locals in the Czech Republic. You can find all sorts of lively places once the night life kicks in and New Years proves to be a truly memorable experience. Some of the celebrations spill out to the city squares where there is likely to be evening entertainment to accompany the unforgettable atmosphere.

Are you planning on sending a parcel to the Czech Republic in 2014? If so, RAND Logistics has all the necessary services to get your shipment from A to B in no time! Make sure you check out our services in the near future.

New Year’s Across the World #3

Today we look at how New Years is celebrated in Spain and how it differs to other nations across the world. Many countries have their own distinct traditions and ways in which they celebrate New Year’s. Spain is no exception and they have a range of different traditional approaches to the big day. Here are a few notable traditions carried out in Spain to symbolise the start of the New Year.

The general Spanish approach to New Years is similar to that of many other countries. Late night partying and celebrating is promoted across the country with the main celebrations taking place after midnight and through to the early morning. Before this, there is a traditional dinner held amongst the family to represent the coming of the New Year.

A more traditional and bizarre approach to New Years is the consumption of twelve grapes which match the chimes of the twelfth hour. The eating of each individual grape corresponds with each chime and Spaniards are encouraged to make a wish in time for the New Year during this process. This tradition spans over 100 years and began when vineyard farmers needed a selling point for their left over grapes.

If you need to send a parcel to Spain in the New Year, be sure to make the most of RAND Logistics services throughout 2014. Take a look at our services for more of an insight into what we can offer you.

New Years Across the World #2

It’s the second day of our analysis of the celebration of New Years and today we are focusing on Denmark and the traditional ways in which New Years is celebrated there. The wintry weather in Scandinavia during this time of year often spills over to New Years, resulting in a celebration similar to that of Christmas. Here’s what to expect if you’re celebrating New Year’s in Denmark.

A traditional belief in Denmark is that smashing plates and other pieces of china on people’s doorsteps ensures that they will have a successful year full of social benefits and newfound friendships. This particular routine is carried out at both midnight and throughout New Years Day itself.

In addition, Denmark highlights the New Years Eve celebrations by baking a huge cake known as a Kransekage. This cone-shaped cake is decorated and eaten as a dessert by those who attend the specific event. It is often accompanied by miniature flags, candles and other dramatic decorations to help liven up and represent the day.

If you know someone who requires a gift sent to Denmark in 2014, RAND Logistics can offer you an outstanding shipping service. Have a look at our shipping rates and get yourself a quote today.

 

New Years Across the World #1

It’s the final week of 2013 and the start of a brand new year, so what better way to represent the huge event than to analyse how it’s celebrated across the globe. Many countries have their own distinct ways of celebrating New Years and the first country we are focusing on is Japan.

The Japanese believe that New Years Eve welcomes the God of the New Year, Toshigami. The Buddhist temples across the country symbolise the arrival of the New Year at midnight by ringing the temple bells 108 times precisely. This is seen as a fitting way of welcoming Toshigami and the start of a new year.

With Buddhists welcoming their New Year’s God, the rest of Japan treats the occasion as any other special event. Cards and gifts may be exchanged between friends, family and loved ones, whilst many people will give their homes a thorough clean in preparation for the New Year in a traditional manner. The cards that are exchanged are often a particular form of thank you card that acknowledges the affection shown throughout the year.

If you want to send a parcel to Japan in time for New Years, RAND Logistics can help. Take a look at our services and get a quote for the shipping of your New Years gift today.

Tips for Protecting Your eBay Parcel

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!

Famous Birthdays on 12th November

Welcome to the second day of RAND’s birthday blog, dedicated to celebrating famous birthdays on this day as a tribute to all the birthday gifts sent around the world every day. Every day this week we will be posting about the biggest names in the fame world to be born on this day in history, whether that was 1,000 years ago or just last year.

Today we’re starting off with American R&B musician Omarion, who was born in 1984, meaning he’ll be 29 today. Some of the other big North American names to be celebrating birthdays today include film heartthrob Ryan Gosling, who hails from Canada, and actress Anne Hathaway from America. For competitive rates on parcels to Canada and parcels to the US, be sure to use RAND’s quote finder.

If you prefer science to the glittering world of Hollywood, perhaps you’ll be more impress by the UK’s very own John W Rayleigh who discovered argon and was born all the way back in 1841. Another British name you might recognise is Mariella Frostrup, who will be 51 today. Mariella was born in Norway, so if you have relatives overseas, remember to note down their birthdays so you can send them a gift.

Christmas Gift Inspiration: DAY #2

Welcome to the second day of our Christmas gift inspiration posts, and today we’re focusing on the men in your life. Remember to use RAND’s parcel quote checker before you send your Christmas gifts this year for the best rates.

It is very easy to fall into the trap of buying novelty Christmas gear for men. Christmas cufflinks, ties and socks are generally relegated to the back of the wardrobe, never to see the light of day again, so as funny as it might be on Christmas Day, it’s a waste of money. Think instead about something that will actually be used.

You can’t go wrong with practical clothing for a man, and when in doubt play it safe with a good quality shirt or jumper in a colour you know he likes. The same applies to socks: go for something functional and wearable but good quality.

A bottle of his favourite wine or a selection of ales would most likely go down well, and this could be accompanied with a variety of snacks to keep him munching through the next few days.

Or of course, for a little peace and quiet, there’s always a DVD boxset or a shiny new videogame…

Christmas Gift Inspiration: DAY #1

Now we’re safely in November, the clocks have gone back and we’re all feeling the chill, it is safe for us to start talking about the C-word: Christmas! You have most probably noticed all the gifts arriving in shops over the past few weeks, and while it may seem overwhelming, we’re here to help, and we’re starting this week with the ladies.

Perfume

As a general rule, we recommend steering clear of anything too practical for the lady in your life. That means no new kettles, vacuum cleaners or blenders unless she has specifically requested it. Instead, why not make an effort and take inspiration from the things she chooses for herself? Check her perfume collection. Could you get her a matching body lotion for her favourite scent? Or the cardigan she loves in a new colour?

Chocolate can make a nice gift, but might look a little unimaginative. Instead, why not put together a little hamper of her favourite sweet treats? She’ll appreciate the effort and thought, and you can tailor it to her tastes. As a general rule, if you don’t know her size, don’t guess and get it offensively wrong – but do remember that bags and accessories are generally one size fits all, and you can never go wrong with a sparkly piece of jewellery!

Use RAND’s parcel comparison tool to send all your Christmas gifts this year.

5 Interesting USPS Facts

We’re starting off a rather chilly Monday morning with some fun facts about the thing we know best – packages. We’re going to be focusing on the US postal system today, looking at all the weird and wonderful things package-related.

  1. Did you know… that the US Postal Service parcel delivery Chevrolet Long Life Vehicles have a right-hand drive as opposed to the usual left-hand drive in the US? This helps the delivery drivers, who don’t need to leave their seats to deliver mail.
  2. Did you know… that in Loma Linda, California, mail is delivered on Sundays, but not on Saturdays? This is because there is a large population of Seventh-Day Adventists who observe the Sabbath day on Saturday rather than Sunday.
  3. Did you know… that the American equivalent of the postcode, the ZIP code, was implemented in 1963 in order to help postmen find the right address? The numerical value of the zip code increases from the East coast (starting in New York) to the West coast (ending in Alaska).
  4. Did you know… that the most remote US Post Office is the Anaktuvuk Pass Post Office in northern Alaska? Everything has to be flown in and out, meaning the residents could be waiting for some time for their packages.
  5. Did you know… that after Walmart, the USPS is the largest employer in the country with more than 650,000 employees?

To send a parcel to the US, use our parcel quote finder today.