I'm trying to support 4 troops one being my step son and although I try to send them each at least one large flat rate a month I'd like to send something small additionally when I can.

  I was wondering about how well those padded manilla envelopes would hold up if you want to send a few small things in them. has anyone ever used them or know if they're even worth the effort? I'm also wondering if they'd hold up to all the abuse of the shipment.

 I use padded manila envelopes, size 6" x 10", to mail copies of my "Thank You For All You Do" slideshow on CD. The ones I use have the plastic bubble padding, and they seem to get the job done without damage to the CD or the CD case. Each one weighs about 2 1/2 oz, so costs $1.51 to mail.

In the eyes of the recipients, yes, it is definitely worth it.  Having something arrive for them at mail call seems to matter a lot no matter what the contents.  For most, it is a reminder that they are being thought of and someone cares for them and what they are having to endure.  The bubble envelopes seem to take a licking pretty well in my experience, and we received a framed document (including glass) from A'stan with only a single piece of cardboard like clothing stiffeners to protect it which arrived in good condition that didn't even have any bubble wrap.  That bubble wrap is tough!

Gran

 I would say yes small packages are meaningful and helpful.  I usually send a military flat rate box, but sometimes the budget does not allow for it.  I recently sent a bubble mailer with a hand made card and a single pair of really good hiking socks and my AS contact was thrilled with the package.  My contact says 100% of the military flat rate boxes are shared with fellow soldiers because that is what they do and it was nice to just get something small and very useful.

Best,

EVERY little bit helps!  I've sent lots of the bubble mailers and they are great.  I find them especially useful when I write a letter to a contact and get a letter back that tugs at my heartstrings and I don't have money in the budget to send a big package.  A little something is still something and as Marty has always told us, it's about the support, not the stuff.  Letting these folks know we care is the most important thing we do.  My guys tell me they enjoy the stuff I send but what they really look forward to is the letter inside the package.

 I send a number of the small envelopes. They are great for things like a single puzzle book or a few blank cards or other small things like local souveniers. Keep them under 13 onces if you want them to go 1st class rate, otherwise it is more expensive to send because you have to pay the full pound rate for either parcel or priority mail for 13 - 16 onces.

They are really good to send when your contact knows others that don't get much mail, because he/she can just hand the whole package to someone and let them have the thrill of opening it! Like someone said, the contacts usually like to open the big boxes to share with the whole group and sometimes are more reluctant to hand the big ones to an individual.

That is good to hear about the envelopes. I have often sent the video-sized boxes to individual contacts with just a few items because I thought they would be sturdier than envelopes. As for "is it worth it," if it's all I can send in a particular month, I figure it's worth it to keep writing and then send a larger box when I can.

Question:  Okay, we have sent many packages and a few envelopes, but have never sent any small packages.  What is done with the customs forms on smaller boxes like the video boxes?  That is one reason that I have never tried to send any small boxes.  I know that I sent some boxes early on before we knew about the FRB that the clerks at the PO had a problem getting the customs forms to fit on according to regs, so, knowing their frustrations, quit trying to send any boxes much smaller than the FRB.

Gran

 There is a smaller customs form (you may have used it on an envelope) that is used on small packages. It is a simple 2-piece design...you fill out the info regarding what's in the package and who it's going to, then peel off the back to expose the self-adhesive surface to stick it to the package. The longer side is torn off and the Post Office keeps it in case any issues arise with the package. I use this form when I send my CD slide show to the troops. It is form number 2976. Your post office should have a supply of these Customs Declaration forms (One end is green, the other end is white) or you can do like I do and go to USPS.com and order some for yourself (free, no shipping fees). I hope this helps.

Gran, do you use the small form (I call it the green one) on your bubble envelopes?  I always do.  I know the difference between the green one and having to use the big involved form is a matter of weight of the package, but since - as was mentioned - I try to keep the weight down on the envelopes I never have to worry about which form to use on them.

I used a couple of the green forms when I first started sending to our grandson in 2004, then was told that to send to them, I always had to use the full customs form, so that's why I have always used larger packages even if they weren't necessary to send what I was sending.

Gran

I guess this is one those things that depends on who you get at the post office, but I've never had any trouble with the big customs forms on the video boxes. The clerk just puts it on the opposite side from the address and wraps it around the edge.

You don't have to use the full customs form if you're sending something that's very light, but I almost never manage to keep a package that light. I have managed to use a few of the small green forms but usually even my small boxes require the full white form.

Thanks for all the great info!  I have a question.  If I send a bubble mailer/envelope I should and keep it under 13 oz. I should send it First Class, not priority?  How long does First Class take?  And, if it's over 13 oz. I can't send it first class, but priority instead?  Thanks!

Hi Gran - I was told I HAD to use the big white form all the time too. Nothing else would do.

 Went to a different PO and was told the same thing.  Then the clerk, whose a very nice lady, said she'd look it up tho and then said Oh Wait.  Under whatever the weight is, you can use this little green one.  Guess it depends on the PO - like everyone says:) 

But on small boxes - I've sent video boxes - large and small - as well as that little 6" cube one with the big white customs form on it and the PO clerks have always been able to put the form on them. They don't even hesitate - so I guess I'm not the only one sending them:)

 Anyway the cubes are good for sending mugs to a single Soldier - and tough to keep the weight down once you start packing stuff in and around them:).  Hope this helps.

Happy packing,

Ann