Mother’s Day is only a few weeks away and you’re probably in malls searching for the perfect gift for your mother. Sometimes thinking about what to give to the person who gave you life is challenging. Also, you may live far from her, but still want to make her feel special.

So, if you’re still trying to figure out what to send your mom, it would be a good idea to find out what and what not to send through shipping to her in the mail. Having it delivered to her doorstep is easy as pie, but there are the things that you can’t send through a postal service.

Here is some advice on what you can send through postal service:

Gifts you can’t send through the mail:

• Liquor & Wine

If your mom’s into wine, sending her a nice bottle may pop into your head, but think again. Only selected retailers carrying proper permits and papers can ship beer and wine to individuals. That means you can should order it directly from a vineyard (who is equipped and licensed to handle the delivery) and have it delivered to your mom’s house.

• Perishable Foods

If your gift requires refrigeration to stay fresh, then the United Postal Services won’t ship it. And don’t try to pack it with dry ice—that’s not allowed either. Although, if you’re really interested about including food in your gift,  you can send her non-perishable food.

• Plants

We know that sending flowers to your mother is your best bet to make her feel loved and special., but you’re better off leaving it to the professionals. Any organic plant that can spoil, smell or otherwise damage other packages won’t be accepted. Keep note that foreign plants may produce a threat to the existing habitat.

• Perfume

Perfumes are probably one of the first things that pop into your mind when you think of what to give your mother. However, perfumes that include alcohol are considered as flammable, and you can’t ship anything flammable—at least not by air. Ground transportation is allowed to ship perfumes that contain alcohol, so keep this in mind if you want to send one.

Gifts that you can send through mail:

• Skin care

All mothers of all ages deserve a mini-pampering treat. You can buy them their favorite skin care products, and deliver the special pampering treat that they deserve.

• Jewelry

If your mom is into jewelry, then you are in the best of luck because you can send them through the mail! Your mom will surely love a dainty necklace or the “world’s best mom” bangle that you’ve been eyeing.

• A Book from your Mom’s Favorite Author

Reading a book can calm your nerves and make you stress-free so ship your mom a book from her favorite author! She’ll know you pay attention and care about what she likes and it will be an easy option for you. She’ll surely thank the heavens for giving her you.

• Personalized Travel Mug

Don’t let your Mom walk around with that free thermos from some convention or work. Give her a thermo that is equipped with modern vacuum insulation for her piping hot lattes and personalized to her style!

• Family Tree Print

If you’ve exhausted the apparent gifts (flowers, candles, chocolates), branch out with a framed custom family tree. You can even add a quote—a  favorite tradition, family motto, or poem—along the bottom to personalize the print further.

To help you with some packing ideas, here are tricks on how to pack your gifts for shipping:

1. Don’t stall.

If you tend to procrastinate about sending your gifts on their merry way, you may find yourself spending more money on expensive—and in many cases, utterly avoidable—next-day-air service for shipments to other parts of the country.

2. Choose the right box.

If you forgot the online route and needed to ship gifts yourself, be sure to package them in robust and corrugated cardboard boxes. Check the bottom of the box for a weight limit. Don’t wrap the outer package in any paper; it could tear off, and your gift could be lost or delayed. (U.S. Postal Service, UPS, DHL and some FedEx boxes are free.)

3.  Use the right packing materials.

Invest in some packing peanuts and bubble cushioning, especially if you’re sending anything fragile. Leave enough space between items in the box, and wrap individual pieces with double cushioning if necessary.

4. Ship perishables correctly.

In some shipping companies, you can send baked goods, meats, cheeses, and fruits on a Monday, Tuesday or even Wednesday via next-day delivery. If you are going to send them on a Thursday or Friday, you may want to make sure that your foods can extreme heat or cold temperatures for up to four days. This may require the use of frozen gel packs.

5. Know how to send high-dollar items.

When you’re going to ship expensive jewelry, choose a next-day delivery option in a box no smaller than 7-by-4-by-2 inches. Ensure your items through your insurance company, since most shipping companies put limits on the claim amounts. Remember, don’t attach anything outside of the box that would reveal the item’s value.

6. Give your package a gentle shake.

Before sealing your package, give it a gentle shake. If you hear anything moving inside, add extra padding—newspaper or shredded documents will do the trick.

7. Use the “H” method when you are sealing your package.

To fully reinforce the seal of your package, you can use the “H” method. Tape along all the seams—it will look like an H on both top and bottom of your box. And always remember to use quality packing tape!

Trust an expert packing and shipping company.

We know that you’re tired of hopping from one mall to the other, so packing and shipping it to your mother can be tiresome as well. Fear not! You can have your gift sent out and not worry about it. Hire a shipping company to deliver your gift on a special day for your special mom. Rest assured that they’ll deliver it right on time safe and secure.