Need suggestions on presenting a gift.

[sam_gordon]

Looking for some creative help. We got DD (an avid reader) a custom book, starring her as the lead character, based around her interests, where she lives, etc. That's the good news.

The bad news is the book isn't going to make it here (pretty sure) before we do our gift exchange (currently in shipping, but I think the USPS lost it).

The company, knowing it's not going to get here sent us a PDF version of the book so we have something to give.

DD does have a Kindle, so hopefully we can convert the PDF to work on that.

But, I'm looking for suggestions on how we can "wrap" an electronic file.

Any ideas?

We do have a printer, so we can print the cover of the book if that helps.

TIA!

 

[Suger Mag]

Looking for some creative help. We got DD (an avid reader) a custom book, starring her as the lead character, based around her interests, where she lives, etc. That's the good news.

The bad news is the book isn't going to make it here (pretty sure) before we do our gift exchange (currently in shipping, but I think the USPS lost it).

The company, knowing it's not going to get here sent us a PDF version of the book so we have something to give.

DD does have a Kindle, so hopefully we can convert the PDF to work on that.

But, I'm looking for suggestions on how we can "wrap" an electronic file.

Any ideas?

We do have a printer, so we can print the cover of the book if that helps.

TIA!

I feel your pain. I am also waiting on some custom gifts that will not arrive in time.

I do like a nice picture of the cover of the book in a frame. Personally I would be ok waiting for the actual book as sometimes in the chaos of the day it is nice to have something to look forward to after all the excitement..... but I can understand wanting to give the PDF.

Perhaps an e-card with the PDF attached. Can program your email to send a message with the PDF on Christmas day at a certain time.

 

[sam_gordon]

Perhaps an e-card with the PDF attached. Can program your email to send a message with the PDF on Christmas day at a certain time.

Never used it, but it turns out I can. That's an idea.

I like the idea of the book cover in a frame too.

More extra suck is DD lives 90 minutes away, so once the book is delivered we're going to have to pay to ship it to her.

The company did tell us if the book doesn't arrive by Christmas, they'll refund our money. I'll give them until Friday (when we're actually doing our gift exchange) or Saturday, (when DD goes back to her apartment), but I will take them up on it.

I ordered on 12/4 and the email confirmation said "delivery in 7-10 days".

 

[Suger Mag]

Never used it, but it turns out I can. That's an idea.

I like the idea of the book cover in a frame too.

More extra suck is DD lives 90 minutes away, so once the book is delivered we're going to have to pay to ship it to her.

The company did tell us if the book doesn't arrive by Christmas, they'll refund our money. I'll give them until Friday (when we're actually doing our gift exchange) or Saturday, (when DD goes back to her apartment), but I will take them up on it.

I ordered on 12/4 and the email confirmation said "delivery in 7-10 days".

Maybe meet in the middle at a restaurant and have a nice meal together instead of shipping... I am assuming your DD is adult?

Hope you get some luck and it comes in time!!

 

[sam_gordon]

Maybe meet in the middle at a restaurant and have a nice meal together instead of shipping... I am assuming your DD is adult?

College student, but yes, has a car. It's just getting the timing down.

Hope you get some luck and it comes in time!!

Thank you! You too!

 

[fla4fun]

So sorry you are dealing with this. Deliveries this holiday season have been awful for so many people, and every time I have something coming through USPS they tell me it’s delivered but it actually gets delivered a couple of days later (we have those cluster mailboxes in our neighborhood). I hope it shows up while your DD is home to receive it.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I hope it comes before your exchange!

But if not, you could do a "fake book" to wrap so she has something to open:

Option 1 - Grab an empty cereal/cracker/something box, tape the end shut, and cut the front so it opens like a book cover. Print out the picture of the cover they sent you and glue it on the flap you just cut (paint the back and sides if you're feeling fancy) then tuck a note inside with the explanation that the actual book is on it's way.

Option 2 - If you happen to have a craft store nearby, you can probably find a wooden version (like they make to hide stuff on your bookshelf) and do the same thing.

 

[_19disnA]

How about printing the 'cover' of the book so she has something to unwrap. You can then send her the pdf file after she has opened the gift.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

every time I have something coming through USPS they tell me it’s delivered but it actually gets delivered a couple of days later (we have those cluster mailboxes in our neighborhood).

Sadly that is allowable by USPS or more I should say considered normal practice as least it's been that way over in my neck of the woods for more than 10 years. Usually it's actually delivered the next day and everyone is advised or then advises others when inevitably someone says "USPS says packaged delivered but nothing is there" around here just wait a day it's likely it'll be delivered then. They can mark it as delivered but not actually physically deliver it, that's why it makes us customers so annoyed because we get the notification it is delivered.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The company, knowing it's not going to get here sent us a PDF version of the book so we have something to give.

The company did tell us if the book doesn't arrive by Christmas, they'll refund our money. I'll give them until Friday (when we're actually doing our gift exchange) or Saturday, (when DD goes back to her apartment), but I will take them up on it.

You might want to make sure the PDF version is considered hers to keep if you do end up asking for a refund if the physical book doesn't make it by Christmas. EBook rights are tricky.

 

[fla4fun]

Sadly that is allowable by USPS or more I should say considered normal practice as least it's been that way over in my neck of the woods for more than 10 years. Usually it's actually delivered the next day and everyone is advised or then advises others when inevitably someone says "USPS says packaged delivered but nothing is there" around here just wait a day it's likely it'll be delivered then. They can mark it as delivered but not actually physically deliver it, that's why it makes us customers so annoyed because we get the notification it is delivered.

Plus there is the aggravation of getting in the car and driving all the way to the back of our neighborhood to the mailbox only to find it empty. I drive to my mailbox a couple of times per week except when I am expecting a package. Then I go when it’s supposedly delivered. Maybe if the mailboxes were in a more convenient location it wouldn’t bug me so much . . .

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Plus there is the aggravation of getting in the car and driving all the way to the back of our neighborhood to the mailbox only to find it empty. I drive to my mailbox a couple of times per week except when I am expecting a package. Then I go when it’s supposedly delivered. Maybe if the mailboxes were in a more convenient location it wouldn’t bug me so much . . .

Ugh yes that must be really annoying plus if it's not delivered for you for days you're feeling like you need to check every day until it gets there. I wish it wasn't so common to happen, like no delivery service should be able to mark something as delivered and yet it's not actually delivered