Message in a Bottle

You had me, up to the point of mailing...can we place the bottle in a a small box? I have never mailed a bottle as the shipping container, how does it work? What might it cost in postage?

@mylittleangel2007 thank you for your questions. You can mail the letter in a plastic bottle. I've had no problems in the past mailing in a bottle. Just be sure your mailing label is securely affixed and postage is applied directly to the bottle above the address just as you would an envelope. Please do not put your bottle in a box unless you get to your post office and they absolutely refuse to mail the bottle. I'd be interested to know if anyone does run into this problem. Try it in a bottle first. It's fun to send, see the mailpersons' smiles, and receive in our own mailboxes.

As far as postage, it depends on how heavy your bottle is after you fill and decorate it. The bottle I received 3 years ago was a Minute Maid Juice bottle, had only a small message inside with stickers on the bottle, and it had a postage stamp of $.63 affixed. I imagine for this swap postage could be around $1, or up to $2 depending on what heavier items you might put in it. As a guideline, the first ounce is $.44 and each subsequent ounce is an additional $.17 per ounce.

I hope this helps.

I would love to join but my post office would not let me send anything that is not boxed right, they would not let me send toilet paper tubes, certain sized boxes, or things in clear bags...if I can send it in a box I will join.

btw what sized bottle, just wondering 2 liters?

i am with turtle my post lady gives me a evil eye if my envelope is over stuffed

@Turtlepug26 this swap is for a bottle that is around 16 oz. or 20 oz. I have heard of 2 liter bottles going through the mail, but this swap will be for a smaller, single serving bottle.

@badandknowsit2 I'm sorry your post lady gives you the evil eye for an overstuffed envelope. I'm not sure what she considers "overstuffed", but the size or thickness of your envelope shouldn't be her concern. She simply has to tell you how much postage it needs. They make allowances for "thickness" by charging a surcharge if it can't go through their automatic machines.

But yes, I realize not all postal employees realize they're allowed to accept odd shaped mail. And granted some post offices probably make their own rules, so we'll all have to abide by our individual post offices' wishes.

@Turtlepug26 & @Badandknowsit2 if you are both in the US it is against USPS regulations for them to complain about shipping something. If it is accepted by the PS to mail, then you can mail it. You may pay extra, but you can mail it. Your other option is to address it and drop it in a mail box in your city - no fuss from the USPS employees then - at least none that you can hear. Trust me they complain no matter what...this is coming from an EX-USPS employee!!!! I couldn't stand it. But, just put a little extra postage on there, tape the address down with some good clear packing tape and let it go. Make sure your postage is good as well. Then, just enjoy the swap! Happy swapping all!

I am sooo glad you started this swap! I was justIthinking of how much I love sending these to my friends and family and here you are! Plus, a lot of people do not know you can decorate a one liter soda bottle and ship it just like that! I have never had a problem and the things you can do with this are endless! My niece loved her Hawaii bottle I sent with sand and palm trees. If I am not too busy, I will join!

I love naked mail and have got some really weird stuff and thank goodness my postman just delivers it to me at the door and smiles (sometimes with ?). The post office I mail from the lady has told me that she enjoys when I visit because she never knows what I am bringing through the door. She and I have developed a friendship because of the crazy naked mail :-). I get more questions than anything....not because they need to know but they are curious.

I really want to join this swap but have to wait till the last min. to join to see if I will have time to put together a good swap naked mail. Crossing my fingers that I find the time.

If not could you please post another one of these swaps in the near future.

@NikonGoddess thank you for your additional comments about mailability of these plastic bottles. Having worked at a US Post Office, your input is valuable. I loved the idea of dropping it in the postal mailbox...so we wouldn't have to "hear" the complaints. Yeah, I'm sure the complaining still goes on even if we're not there to hear it.

@MissPaula we were obviously on the same wavelength. How neat to think of your bottle traveling with sand and palm trees from Hawaii. Cool.

@DeniseN10ec I was reading your comments above about "naked mail" out loud and my 9 year old daughter asked "she likes 'naked mail?" while looking very confused. I explained what you meant, and it was strange to see a look of relief wash over her face. She then said "Oh! I thought she meant naked MALE!" ROFL!

Hope you all can join!

I found a great post office that will let me mail ANYTHING! The little lady behind the counter LOVES it! She says she mails brown boxes all day so she is excited to see my art and ideas :)She is so into it! If you have a lame-o, stick-in-the-mud postal worker - just try another office - eventually you will find someone who either doesn't give a crap or is totally into it. Good luck!

I am watching for right now.

Just my thought on the post office, tell them if they will not mail it you want to see the BIG boss of that office, as long as noting is in the bottle that would hurt anyone they cant tell you they cant mail it.

The guys at my post office love me...I bug them when I go in and they just laugh at me when I mail stuff. They cant believe how much stuff i can get into a small package.

Just a side note...you can get message in a bottle bottles at the craft store also.

@tifffoster and @kimberlym322 I love your post offices! And thank you, @kimberlym322 for the comment about getting the bottles at your craft store. I think I remember seeing one in Hobby Lobby and thinking how neat that they'd have that as a craft.

Question: Would you as a swapper rather see this swap have a full two-weeks to put your letter bottles together, or is the 9 days this swap is currently set to time enough?

Watching for now... love this idea!

I usually go several miles out of my way to mail from a mini-post run by two young guys who just grin over my odd packages. :) The main PO, much closer to my house/work, is staffed by stodgy older people who always look annoyed with my strange mailings... and one woman in particular who refused to let me mail a small birdcage with a letter inside to Australia, because "little buggies might crawl inside." Grrrrr.....

Ohhhhhhhhh.,.....this just sounds like SOOOO much fun!!! There is only one problem. This swap is for US only!! Do you think that you would consider hosting one that was regional for US and Canada? I would really love to participate in this...what a fun and neat idea!!!!

♥tHiS iS sO cOoL!!!♥ I have always wanted to do this! Thanks for hosting!

Had to go to a few postal places, but I got it mailed out today! Can't wait to get mine too!

@javajunkie I received your bottle today...Loved it! You nailed this swap! Thank you!

Everyone else, your bottles were due out today. Don't hesitate to let your partners know if you were unable to get to the post office today. I almost didn't make it as my post office closes at 4:30, but I made it! Be on the lookout @mejulia

I had fun and look forward to doing this again. Hope to see you in the next swap!

By the way, my postal lady didn't bat an eye when I handed her the bottle and asked how much postage I'd need. :-)

Thank you, everyone, for a wonderful swap experience! I have checked everyone's ratings to be sure they were rated, and it sounds like all of you did a great job. NO ONE FLAKED!!! Thank you! Now, are you ready to do it again? I'm thinking of a Fall theme, and though this swap was International, we had no international participants, so I'm thinking of keeping the next swap USA only to avoid any potential infringements on international post office requirements. Hope to see you all in the next one!

Or maybe a holiday theme...