When choosing shipping boxes, take into account the bow of your wreath. While a wreath itself may look flat from a distance (across the room), the height of the bow could be 2-6″ tall depending on what is attached. That height is important when you’re packing for someone else or sending as a gift. Your packaging box needs to allow enough room for all parts of your wreath including each loop and stem that creates the shape of your wreath.
If your wreath is created using fabric flowers or ribbon, first measure across the width of your wreath at the largest point. Next measure the depth. It’s best to let the bow hang like it would when hung on a door rather than push it down while measuring. Also consider how to fold the long ribbon tails of some designs. Any stiff stems or fixed ornaments also need room to breathe and not be squished up against the side of the box.
Your wreath base will be secured while keeping the flowers and bow loose and untwisted. You’ll want to use a packing method that secures this frame in place. One way to do this is by securing the wreath frame with a product specifically designed for this purpose such as packing ties attached to inserts. You will want to ask both your box supplier and wreath maker how to position these ties according to your wreath design. Simply pulling a tie across soft trimming may help keep your wreath stationary while creating a scuff mark you will never be able to fully remove.
Load your wreath into the box before adding any additional padding. Be sure the frame remains secure and none of the flowers come into contact with the top of the box. Excess filling can get stuck within meshed or cover details of your wreath. Therefore, add filling only where specified in the packaging instructions. You should be able to clearly view how the wreath is being secured without having to dig through a pile of debris to find the frame.
Consider adding a note explaining how to safely open the package. Instruct the recipient on how to locate and properly release any tying mechanism used to secure the wreath before removing it from the box. Include a diagram of how to find these mechanisms if they are difficult to verbally explain. Also, provide guidance on avoiding accidental ripping of ribbon loops with scissors during unpacking and suggest a safe area for the recipient to grasp the wreath frame. Provide direction on whether any gentle reshaping is required after removal from the box without making promises regarding whether any crushed trim will regain its original appearance.
Compare the wreath to a photograph taken prior to packaging to ensure that there were no problems caused during transit, i.e., a bent stem, trapped ribbon or bow, etc. Place the lid back onto the box carefully without applying pressure on the lid, then determine which shipping options are available based upon your measured dimensions and weight. This advice applies to shipping artificial wreaths. Fresh and dried plants have different shipping requirements and care. Each time your design changes, check its fit in a new box instead of relying on measurements from previous seasons. Even if your wreath frame remains the same size as past wreaths shipped in smaller bows, larger bows may cause an otherwise good-sized box to become unsuitable for shipping due to excess volume inside.
