CLEVELAND -- 'Tis the season for spending sprees that result in large shopping bags filled with lots of gifts for friends and family that need to be shipped. There are many options when it comes to your shipping needs.

NewsChannel5 and its sister station, ABC15, in Phoenix, did a shipping test to see which shipping company could churn out the best price and fastest route for our care packages.

To test the cost, NewsChannel5 Consumer Reporter Joy Benedict went to Target to get some heavy items like soup, bags of candy and candles.

Benedict packed up the same items in separate boxes and while that was happening in Cleveland, folks in Phoenix were doing the same. The only exception was that Phoenix was shipping out glassware to see if it would survive the trip.

Both stations went to UPS, FedEx, and the US Post Office.

This year, the post office is really pushing flat rate as the smartest option. There are four sizes ranging from $4.95 to $13.95. If you can fit it into the box, you'll pay the flat rate according to the box size. Peggy Havanas from the U.S. Postal Service said, "that includes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands."

Benedict wanted to test the cost factor, so she chose the medium sized flat rate box that ships in two days for $10.35. The same items shipped priority mail in a store bought box rang up at $23.60, so we chose to send it seven day parcel post for $14.47.

Shipping the same items via UPS ground cost $12.74 while FedEx ground was $11.46.

The flat rate priority mail box arrived right on time in Phoenix and remember that was the least expensive method. The other three boxes took four days.

The glasses sent from Phoenix arrived in good shape, despite the box being a little smashed.

Our parcel post option was the most expensive, followed by UPS, and FedEx. FedEx offers free tracking, but the post office flat rate box was the cheapest and the fastest.

But the flat rate box is not always your cheapest option. If you are mailing something under three pounds, or somewhere in Ohio, you are better off buying your own box.

Always take the time to properly pack your boxes, with the heaviest items on the bottom. Double check the address to make sure it is correct. If the ZIP code is wrong, the package will take longer to reach its destination.

The sooner you can get organized and get your packages out the door, the better. Do not wait until the last minute. December 17-22 is expected to be the busiest shipping week this year. If you wait until afterwards, you'll be paying even more to get them there on time.

When choosing a box, make sure its sturdy. Don't use a box that has been used several times before.

When shipping electronics, ship them without the batteries inside the product. You don't want the item making noises or to have it arrive with dead batteries.

Use shipping tape, too. Masking and duct tape are not good choices because one is too strong and the other is not strong enough.