A punch bowl is a container usually used to serve punch during parties. It is made from a variety of materials including glass, crystal, porcelain, and silver. Punch bowls usually come in sets which include cups, hooks, a serving ladle, and sometimes, a lid or stand.
Antique punch bowls, especially those made by well-known manufacturers, are highly sought after by collectors. Vintage and elaborately decorated punch bowls are also handed from one generation to another as an heirloom piece.
Because of their fragile nature, monetary or sentimental values, proper packing techniques must be employed when shipping a punch bowl to prevent any irreparable damage during transport. If you are planning to ship a punch bowl for any reason, here are some tips that can help you send it without any problems.
Whether shipping a glass, ceramic or silver punch bowl, the item must be generously bubble wrapped. The more layers of bubble wrap, the better. If it is a set that includes cups, ladle, stand, or lid, each piece must be bubble wrapped as well. Hooks can be placed in a Ziploc bag and then bubble wrapped.
Arrange the bowl and its accessories inside an inner box with packaging peanuts on the bottom. Use more packaging peanuts or bubble wrap between the pieces to ensure that they do not bang on each other during transit. You may place some of the cups inside the bowl but make sure that everything is well-padded. The box should be well packed that the contents do not have space to shift or move around. Close the box and seal with packaging tape.
Place the inner box inside a slightly larger outer box, with a layer packing peanuts on the bottom. Fill the sides and top of the inner box with more packing peanuts. The inner box should not move inside the outer box. Close the outer box and seal with packaging tape. Also reinforce the bottom seam of the box with tape. Address the package and take to a shipping company.
If shipping a very fragile punch bowl set, it is best to package the bowl separately from the cups and other accessories. Each package should be double boxed using sufficient packaging materials. Purchase extra insurance if shipping a high-value item.