If a little item you are sending thru the post has sharp edges or an uneven shape, a padded envelope may be suitable.

Theres always the danger of damage to anything you send by post or by courier.

Bottles containing liquid should be wrapped in polythene, sealed with tape and besieged with padding materials and newspaper or other absorbent material, in case of leaks.

Books sent through the post can suffer damage to their corners or binding.

When sending PC disks, video cassettes, DVDs and CDs, thick cushioning material should be wrapped round the item, which should then be enclosed in a stiff container.

Flowers should be packed in layers, with tissue paper parting them.

Vulnerable electrical equipment and brittle items need significant protection, including at least 10cm of cushioning material and a robust stiff container of the type that may prevent the item moving within it.