We get A LOT of packages. Even in pre-Covid times, I was a bit of a package junkie. I’ve been a member and avid user of Amazon since 1998. I have no shame in this game.
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Exhibit A: Last August we went on vacation for a week and a neighbor watched our dogs for us. When we returned home seven days later the entire entryway was full of boxes and plastic sealed bags full of items ordered in the last few weeks. However, many of them were things we had been waiting on for months due to pandemic problems with shipping and supply. It was embarrassing, to say the least. We looked like addicts. Honestly, it is not that bad on the regular.
Exhibit B: is this holiday season. I’m immunocompromised due to Chronic Lyme and I already loathe leaving my house so…..ordering online it is this holiday season.
Work
To say that our delivery drivers from Amazon, USPS, DHL, UPS, FedEx, and who knows who else these days get a work out is an understatement. Our driveway is curvy. No one wants to enter it, which means getting out of their vehicle at the bottom of the driveway and walking up or in our mailman’s case, across the yard. Then they encounter the cacophony of barking that is our two dogs. It’s loud. It’s frightening. From my office window, I see some drivers approach lower to the ground and practically toss the deliveries on the front step to avoid rousing the dogs. All of whom are inside and if we let you in they would just lick you to death. There is no pup treats left by FedEx at our house!
I feel like a little extra love and kindness needs to be sent their way this year. We’re all struggling and right now they are working their butts off. There is no denying that. I had to do something to show our appreciation.
Fast, Fun, & Easy
Enter Instacart. It took me ten minutes to order supplies from Instacart to create a basin of treats and hydration for each carrier that comes to our door. An hour later the items were on my front step. The kids and I took them inside and got the metal drinks tub we used back when we had parties (remember parties? Sigh).
Then, I placed a towel for padding and height at the bottom of it. Next, I stacked mini water bottles into it. After that, it was adding packages of hand warmers, savory snacks, sweet treats, and a few candy canes hanging from the rim to round it out and make too.
Finally, I printed out a sign from Gale Nation that lets drivers know it is all free to take. I used a stake of wood found in our garage, affixed the printout to cardboard from one of the many cardboard boxes from ahem, other deliveries, and taped it all on with protective packing tape. Done!
I restock when needed and it’s needed! I just hope they can feel the appreciation we have for them this time of year and always. I might do it again in the summer months just to keep those people hydrated and to let them know their job is very much appreciated all year long.
