- Always follow the Swap Post for mailing items.
- Swap Inserts: It’s best if you place each swap item in a separate baggy inside your mailing envelope. This is especially true if you’re swapping bulky items. This keeps elements from rubbing up against each other in the envelope and there’s less chance of finger prints or smudges when the hostess puts together the return mailings. If you smoke please be sure that you place a piece of dryer sheet inside the baggies. This will help to minimize the smoke odor.
- Cutting Costs: To cut down on cost only mail the items for other swap participants. Keep yours out. For example: If the swap has 5 participants – send 4 swap items. The item you are making for yourself does not need to be mailed. Instead of placing your item in the envelope with all the others just place an empty baggy (or envelope) in with your name on it. The hostess will then use the baggy in place of your return item. [See postage note below.]
- Envelope Size: Always send items in the appropriate size envelope. If the Hostess asks for a 12 X 13, please be sure that is what you enclose as your return envelope. We don’t want your items to get damaged because they won’t fit in the envelope you sent. Include on your return envelope YOUR correct mailing address. AND complete the return address section of the envelope with your info as well. To protect your new goodies make sure there is a piece of cardboard the size of the envelope inside. This also helps with post office damage control. [See recycling note below.]
- Postage: The rule of thumb is to always add 4 extra stamps for your return envelope, just place all your stamps for the return in a baggy or envelope with your name on it. No need to make this an extra insert - just use the one you use to replace your personal swap item. [See the cutting costs note above.] If it doesn’t cost this much to mail your swapped items back to you the stamps that are not used will be returned to you with your swap! IMPORTANT: Please do not send cash in lieu of postage stamps.
- Recycling: I encourage recycling of mailing envelopes. To recycle an envelope, please include with your return postage a mailing label for yourself and do not seal your mailing envelope with the adhesive. Instead, use a strip of clear mailing tape to close the flap down. The Hostess can cut the tape to remove the items. Then she/he will re-use the envelope to return your swaps, placing the mailing label you supplied over the old one. The return postage will be placed over the old with a piece of paper. This method saves on the cost of an extra envelope and on the size and weight of the original mailing.