well i lied i still have more rant! i did this and my envelopes were returned. only they held them for a week! and then returned it with a note saying this was too thick for a "flat/large envelope" and had to be a parcel price. ! the other weird thing, in some kind of not funny irony, was i also got some seeds i bought, they were in a small thin bubbly, and at "flats/large envelope" postage rate. 1.19 in postage, made it perfectly fine ( as it is the correct, CORRECT postage)...and my envelope which looked almost the same...with the note saying not enough postage even though theres three stamps. so i went over with the printed out copy of the size requirements for "flats/large envelopes". and she tried again to say anything over 1/4 inch is a parcel, and i said nooooooooo...its 3/4 inch and it says right here, and that they have been overcharging me for quite a long time. she said we havent been overcharging! and i said yes...this is what i usually mail..."flats/large envelopes" and they are at these prices....and even though these are IN FACT flats/ large envelopes...you always charge me for parcels. and pointed out that if i mailed from the coast or a nearby ish town it would be that rate. i shouldve brought in the other envelope...to show her...but i didnt realize that until later. argh. well actually they did eventually agree to mail it. but said well if someone turns it around and returns it for not enough postage its not our fault. i told them i have to weigh ity at home and put the correct postage oin it, as that seems to be the only way not to overcharged. and sometimes even have to factor in how they overcharge me if i want it to make sure it gets there...but thats not fair because if i was somewhere else at a post office they would charge me the correct amount and i wouldnt have to pay more than i am supposed to... i sort of wished i had brought up how they say theres been not enough postage on some stuff where other people sent it to me...when in fact it was correct postage, but not their (distorted) idea of what "correct" postage is... but of course i didnt...i suppose i just have to be happy enough that i finally made some headway and now when they see my envelopes they maybe wont return them. but the person waiting for my side of the trade had to wait an extra week...before they even sent it back to me!

Plain paper envelopes have to be no more than 1/4 inch thick. The USPS has a template they use to see if your envelope will easily slide through. As long as there is padding and the seeds are protected I agree--$.65 is a better price. For thinner packing material with the same protection try cut up styrofoam meat trays or styrofoam plates. Use two pieces and tape the seeds flat between them. This helps you keep under the 1/4" requirement. Every time I take a bubble envelope to the post office it's $1.95. If I mail it myself I can put 2 or 3 stamps on it like the last post. If anyone uses flat rate boxes I recommend Click-N-Ship on the internet. The box is the same amount, but you get the tracking number for free. If I mail it downtown I have to pay more for the tracking number. If you use Click-N-Ship be sure to enter the correct date. If you're mailing the same day make sure the package gets to the mail that day. They can reject it otherwise. I would say most of us would accept seeds either bubble envelope or padded envelope as long as the seeds arrive safe. I traded for 2 years and thought a lot like you--until I received smashed seeds. They were something I really, really wanted to grow and they were toast. Other suggestions: Write the words HAND CANCEL under the stamps in the right corner. Use a dark or red permanent marker. You're doing everything you can to avoid the nasty automatic sorting machines that smash the seeds. Along the bottom of the envelope under the address write Seeds--example: Mr. Smith 123 Elm Street New Alpha, NX 89340 SEEDS-----SEEDS------SEEDS I like to use a pen or green marker. I like to tell myself the person handling my mail will use a little more TLC if they know it's seeds (and don't think I'm trying to send explosives through the mail). Never use duct tape-bombers use duct tape and the USPS may open and inspect your package. When you package your seeds into small baggies or envelopes it may be prudent to get a slightly larger baggie so the seeds can lay flat. They may fit in a tiny bag, but they may be bulkier.

Have you thought about trying a photo storage box. You can find these at most craft stores in either a mix of prints or in solid colors. The are like cardboard and so it does not have a air tight seal. But I do know for a fact that it fits a reg. size envelope not the bussiness sized envelope. Or maybe even a show box will work. But the photo boxes are a bit sturdier than a shoe box. Or maybe a clear rubbermaid shoebox if you want the air tight factor. The rubbermaid shoeboxes can be found at most walmarts. And you can bring in an empty envelope to see if it will fit. Paula

Great list (I love lists) and great gifts. This is also nice for my "where did I put it " list.