Tuesday, April 18, 2023

A Sticky Question!

 Good morning.  Recently I saw a post on a FB page I belonged to, that I thought was kind of interesting.  It asked a question about something that many of us get.  Address labels!
I get them often - from places that I have never even donated to.  I do use the - as I am a snail mail kind of gal.

The question is - what does everyone do with them?
There are several uses in my book.  I will list a few ideas - then ask if anyone has any other fun uses.

  • Of course, there is mailing labels - both return address and self-addressed return envelopes
  • Books I am lending out - so the person remembers where they got it.  NOW I have a little journal area where I keep that person's name and the name of the book - so I remember who has it.  Also, good to place on tools, DVD's, etc. that might get loaned out
  • Filling out some forms
  • Raffle tickets for any type of drawing
  • Place one on your phone (for I.D. in case it is lost)
  • Place on food containers for school/work lunches
  • Put on the bottom or side of containers taken to pitch-ins (even utensils)
  • Hide somewhere on household items (that isn't easily seen) for I.D. if items might be stolen - Think computers, TV's, electronics, cameras, anything of value 
  • Cut off the pictures and let the kiddos use as stickers
  • Maybe on home canned goods - so they know where the jars are to be returned!!!
Not only do I get address labels, I also get stick-on gift tags and cute stickers.  I use them all on gifts for the kiddos - to jazz up the packaging.  Many times, I use simple tissue paper or even the comics from the newspaper to wrap gifts in (as it just gets torn up), and these cute stickers add a pop of color.

What do you do with the labels you receive?  They are not recyclable because of the sticky stuff.  So new uses need to be found.  I guess many just throw them out - but there surely has to be some other fun uses for them.
What do you do with them?  Any fun and inventive ideas?

Have a good day!


46 comments:

  1. You came up with some super ideas for using the address labels! I receive small note pads for making lists. Those are very handy. I remember my mom using the back of my dad's paycheck stub for her grocery list.

    The Urban Farmer had a doctor's appointment at IU West yesterday morning and decided he wanted pancakes from Emmy's Pancake House when he was finished. We went into Rural King after we ate and came out of the store to a sleet storm. The visibility was minimal and very cold. Now it looks like a low of 27 is in our near future. Up and down...

    We have what we think is a raccoon invading our garden. A planter with herbs was knocked over night before last and the Farmer said something knocked over a planter with garlic last night. A raccoon is fairly sturdy and squirrels would not be big enough to do those things besides squirrels usually are not nocturnal. It's all part of the Curse!

    Think I'll wait until it warms up some before I go out to clear a place in the flower bed for a rose that needs to be moved. Plenty to do indoors!

    Enjoy your day!

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    1. I get those little note pads too - I love them for lists!
      Really? Sleet storm! Wow, we had nothing here - just a little frost and a chill for sure.
      Yep, squirrels won't be out at night. Those racoons can be rascals for sure. I
      It is warming up and the sun is shining here.
      Don't work too hard.

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  2. I've received hundreds more than I'll ever use so they go into trash sadly. I honestly wish they wouldn't waste the $ . I no longer research these organizations on how much of the charitable contributions actually go to the cause. Some of that data is depressing. Address labels, pens, reusable shopping bags, note pads. It all adds up to millions!

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    1. I wish they wouldn't either - I know it is advertising - but still. Most organizations are known about and shouldn't waste their money on that crud.
      It is very depressing to see how much actually goes to charities - I agree.

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  3. I think you thought of everything! I feel no obligation to contribute just because they got my info somewhere and chose to mail them to me.

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    1. Oh I don't either. I know I have contributed to some on my own - but I won't just because they send something. Not happening here.

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  4. I don't receive those any longer - just checked and I only have 8 stickers left. Since they typically were Christmas themed, I kept with my box of greeting cards and used them at that time of year.
    I'm guessing the charities that sent them out (War Amps for certain) found that issuing them without a returning contribution wasn't economically feasible.
    Great ideas for using them, if you have them!

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    1. I still get them all year from all kinds of places. I wish they would stop. I don't give to any of the places I get them from - so it isn't aiding them.

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  5. Good morning! Like Maebeme, we used to get the address labels (and other things: bookmarks, calendars, note pads, greeting cards) all the time, but no more. I thought it stopped because we'd moved. I used them for all the things you mentioned, Cheryl. If the charities have scaled back on them, I'm glad, because the bulk of their donations always went into marketing for more donations.

    Blue found a bunny hole in our yard early this morning! A little bunny came out of it and hopped away so fast it looked like it was flying! I'm sure the rabbit family will soon relocate when grading correction begins on our yard. Fifteen tons of gravel is to be delivered tomorrow. That's on top of the tons we bought last year. If anyone had told me a decade ago I'd be buying truck loads of rock in the future, I'd have laughed, but mud (and big puddles) happen, so needs must. Blessings to all! --Elise

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    1. Gosh, I wish I would quit getting them. I already have enough for the rest of my life!
      Oh - little bun-bun better find a new home.
      WOW that is a lot of rock! Hope it all turns out nicely for you!

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  6. I have notified the sender and requested to be removed from the mail list. I also do that with a lot of the junk mail I receive. Sometimes it works and sometimes not, but at least I don’t get as much of that stuff. Just hate all the waste. Love your blog.😁 Linda T

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    1. Hi Linda - thanks for being here! Good idea. I may try that. There is such a tremendous amount of waste every day!

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  7. Years ago I put those stickers on cassette tapes that I loaned out. Later I'd put them on CD covers. Now I seem only to put them on mail. I have oodles - the Christmas ones are with the Christmas cards and stamps, but the others are in a fat envelope. I also have enough for my lifetime! :D The little notepads are more useful but I'd rather those didn't have my name on them.

    MaryB

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    1. I do that too. I keep the Christmas ones with the cards. I have a manila folder I keep my stamps and my other address labels in. It is all together when I pay bills. I do get a name free pad every now and then - but most often they do have my name on them.

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  8. Debby in Kansas USAApril 18, 2023 at 2:12 PM

    I was thinking that most places have stopped sending all that stuff. In fact, we are nearly out of them! The ones I use are from our insurance guy and from the local humane society. I occasionally get others with just my name, but they use Ms. Debby.... I detest Ms. so those mostly go into the shredder. I'm actually getting ready to order a stamp. I like using the labels for the Menard's rebate forms.

    Supposed to be mid 80smtoday. We're on the weather roller coaster. Up up up from Monday thru Thursday, then we start down, hitting cool on Saturday.

    I swear, I feel like I've been off kilter since hubs took a week off A MONTH AGO!! I'm trying to get back into my normal and it's just not working!! I manage to get 2-3 small things done as normal, but then it all goes cattywampus.

    Dinner is chicken Alfredo on broccoli. Hubs gets the noodles. I prefer just the broccoli.

    Reading-
    I have only one title I can remember lol!
    Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn. A murder mystery by Tami Hoag.
    An audio book on Robert Parker's Jesse Stone <----did anyone enjoy Tom Selleck as Jesse as much as I did?! Hubba hubba yum yum! I used to tease hubs that if he showed up at my door, I'd send hubs the address of where to send my stuff lol. He said to do the same for him with Olivia Newton John!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. We have always gotten labels here - but hubs did used to have one of those repeater stamps he used all the time. It lasted forever, and no need to add ink.
      We have a bit of a weather thing going on here too. It just can't make up it's mind. Tomorrow will probably be mow day - as the Thurs. will be 80 - then rain comes back!
      I remember Jesse Stone! Old Tom has always been a looker to me - still is, I think!

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    2. LOVED the Jesse Stone mysteries. In fact, I think I still have them on DVD somewhere. Probably in a box in the barn shed. LOL! And don't worry, Debby... I'm all of schedule/off kilter, too. --Elise

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  9. You gave me such a good idea-raffle tickets are perfect! Time to put some in my purse.

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    1. Use one of those washed/re-used plastic baggies and you will be all set!

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  10. It seems like we get stickers and greeting cards , note pads, little gift bags, daily from organizations we've never heard of. I don't feel obligated in any way to contribute either. What really irks me are the ones who send you a check for a $1.50. We shred those because if cashed they then have your account number. Then there are the ones who send nickels, dimes and quarters and ask for a donation. We have enough address stickers for 2 lifetimes. The little gift bags and note pads are useful, I do several things with the cards. First they get curated as to what I might find useful for sending and crafting. I make gift tags out of some, and other embellishments. I love to make little journals and a 5x7 card can be very useful for this. The rest of the cards get offered to friends or we take them to the Rescue Mission and they sell them and make a little bit off their sale.
    Busy day today baking gluten free low histamine cookies, making mayonnaise, more crackers and a huge bowl of shreded veggies for stir fry for dinner tonight and some to store in the freezer. Cookie

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    1. I forgot about the cards. Now I haven't gotten any of those in ages. I have always kept them - as they have pretty pics. IF, by some chance I need a last minute card I forgot about - I will have those. Making gift tags from them is a good idea. I have never received bags of any sort.
      Happy baking!!!! You sure stay busy.

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  11. Wow, you certainly have made some great suggestions. I often wonder when I receive these how on earth these places get my address. Sometimes I have never heard of the Charity, let alone donated to them. Like most of you, I don’t feel obliged to donate just because they sent me something I didn’t ask for. Louise

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    1. I think so many places sell our addresses. You donate one place and they all get the address. It makes me angry. I have always read that if you get ANYTHING you did not order - it is yours for the keeping.
      Thanks!

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  12. When my parents were living, my mother put an address label on my father's cane. When he left it behind at stores in our small community; the management knew whom to call for return.
    I also use them on potluck containers and utensils. Solves the problem of random lids and spoons for clean-up! I also gave more than I'll ever use, but I've always enjoyed receiving them.

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    1. Good idea on the cane! Yep on those potluck dishes and utensils it sure saves a lot of time and energy finding the owners!
      I think I have labels for about every occasion during the year!

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  13. Dittoes on all the frustration from UNWANTED mail! I have, for several years, taken any ‘postage paid’ envelope that came in a mailing unsolicited by me, and written on the response form, ‘Please remove me from your list”. I put this in the pre-paid envelope and mail it back. Since they then have to pay the postage, you can bet they’ll remove your name. It has cut back A LOT on the junk mail!
    Conni

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    1. Really good idea. I need to start doing that - as I get mainly junk mail any more!

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  14. For whatever reason I haven't received any address labels, note pads or cards in about 3 years or so. Not that I'm complaining as I have more than I'll ever use. I have never responded with a donation. If they have money to waste on address labels, notepads, etc. they don't need more money from me. Lots of great ideas here to help me use up some of my surplus. Thank you all!! Suz in WA

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    1. Exactly!!!!!! I agree 100%. Don't waste the money on stupid stuff - use it for the cause!
      Glad to have helped in a little way! Glad to have you here!

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    2. We order bulk supplements of different kinds. When they arrive , I use the gift stickers to put the name of each and the exp. date on top of the bottle, Cindy/WV

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  15. I pretty much use them in the same manner as you do.

    God bless.

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    1. Thanks. Guess there are only so many ways to use them up!

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  16. I too return the entire thing back to them in THEIR prepaid envelope. That really slows down the junk mail. Also, if possible, use your pets name with your last name. I've never had an order not delivered when doing this. If you get junk mail or phone scams using Sissy or Sams name, you are instantly on guard. No, Sissy or Sam cannot provide a social security number or buy a gift card. The gift card scam is still going strong, unfortunately. A family member just got hit and several friends fell for it. Now, if the scammers had said Sissy was too ill to leave the house and could you please buy a Sephora gift card for her niece......there would have been some serious questions asked. Since when did the cat start using Sephora and send off gift cards to a niece??
    Ellie
    Central Az

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    1. LOL - now that is funny and also a good idea.
      I would never try to get a gift card from any offer. If I don't initiate the purchase, I will never go after something. It is amazing how many that do. BUT, then again, I don't trust many!

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  17. I use them like you do, Cheryl. They really come in handy, yes I put mine on casserole dishes many times or books..dvds to lend. And ya know? Even if we don't donate to a particular charity, others still find us. So I guess some really do sell those lists to others.

    Very good question, I always wonder if others use them too as I do. : ) Why not use them? : )

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    1. Oh yes, they sell our information for sure.
      I use them as best I can. Why not?

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    2. I use the Christmas cards too many times! The Navigators send beautiful Christmas cards, I have a stash of them. I also buy my own but do utilize the Navigators cards.

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  18. I do cut off the pictures for children. Plus, I can remove the seasonal pictures and use the return address label anytime. Sometimes, I use a Christmas label even if it is summer. Do businesses really care?

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    1. A return label is a return label - so no they don't care. I know I use Christmas stamps until they run out!

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    2. I totes agree. I've gotten where I just buy the American flag stamps and use them all the time unless I discover a special design that I absolutely love.

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  19. What a great list of ideas to use these for! 😃 I just use my return address labels I get for sending snail mail, but will definitely give these other suggestions a shot! Great post!

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    1. Glad you got a couple ideas. We end up with so many, might as well use them.

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  20. Blogger might have my in your spam, not sure. I know I commented on the last two and then my comment vanished. That happens on my page too. People comment only their comments are in spam. I hope google fixes that soon. Either way, Happy Weekend!

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  21. Another idea for those address labels is to use them like pieces of scotch tape.
    ~margaret

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