Does anyone else have fun trying to be creative with the mailing paper?   I don't want to use my good printer paper for the whole book, so I print the main part with the addresses, and use something fun for the rest.  Just finished up some VERY old postal wrapping paper that had postmen and dogs on it.  The reason I know it was old?  It was from Hallmark and had a price of .35 on it - yep, as in thirty-five cents!!!  Wonder how long ago that was!?!   One of the people who got that paper on a book from me said she loved to see what people could come up with, but liked this paper the best!  Alas, it is used up now!   Some here have said they have wrapped in Christmas paper.   What do you use???  Do you try to find something unique for sending out all those books???       D.

If I don't use envelops, I only use recycled brown grocery bags.

Several members have posted that gift wrapping paper doesn't hold up well during it's travels through the postal system, unless you mummify the book.

After receiving one book wrapped in Christmas paper that was mangled by the USPS and the book damaged - I wouldn't use that paper.  Not to be a "downer" - but using the poly bags now and feeling much more secure about how they are going to be received.  I know the OP used old postal paper and I don't really know how that holds up, but I wouldn't trust it.

Ruth

I don't mess around. I used to use the PBS 2-page wrapper with extra paper as needed for larger books, all mummified with packing tape. Now I use the Uline poly mailing envelopes--the 6x9 size for mass mkt paperbacks and smaller trades, and one of the big yellow ones cut in half, wrapped up and securely taped for hardcovers and larger trades. I've never had a book damaged by USPS or arrive with damage so I'm sticking to what works. The poly bags aren't the cheapest, but I like them because they're simple and convenient and Uline has a distribution center in the city where I live, so when I order, I've always gotten them the very next day.

I would think you could use whatever colorful and creative paper you wanted as long as you mummify it with good packaging tape.

Cheryl

Wallpaper for the most part.  Just because it's pretty and I can get a great price on discontinued rolls ($1 a roll).  Recycled bubble and poly envelopes when I'm short on time.

I mailed one yesterday in heavy, bright red wrapping paper.   I put cute packing tape with birds on it on the top.  I don't use that tape for the whole thing but it sure looks cute.       I've wrapped in almost everything.   I often you stickers and/or stamps on the outside of the package.  I've never had a complaint about any of the wrappings I've used.

The most damaged packages I receive?  Those in poly bags.  The machines punch holes through them and into the book.   They won't tear but they sure get holes in them.

Ooh, wallpaper, what a good idea.  I know lots of people use stickers, but I end up giving all of my stickers to my daughters who are obsessed and want to sticker everything.

Shower curtains.

Sounds silly, but they work. I can go to the Dollar Tree, buy a plan white shower curtain for $1 and wrap a million books with it. Its tough and holds up well, and its also waterproof.

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse is my motto when it comes to wrapping books. Any bubble mailer that comes into my house gets reused, even if it is just to protect the book inside another wrapper when they are too worn out. Envelopes that samples come in that are plastisized get turned inside out and they are a great size to completely cover a mm paperback. Any celephane or plastic that has not held FOOD is what I use as an inside liner. I have used patterned printer paper when I had some left over. A member recently sent me some poly bags so they will be used too, and any poly bags I get books in will be reused also. I open all my junk mail over the basket where I keep my mailing supplies and tuck any thing that may come in handy there. I used to open the mail near the garbage can, but I have been amazed t how much less trash I have now that I save all kinds of material to wrap books in.

Well, I've had plenty of used envelopes recently so that's what I've been using.

When I was running low (or more accurately, too disorganized to know what I had) I used heavy Christmas paper I'd saved from presents.  Worked really well. 

I pretty much wrap most of my books in the boring PBS wrapper. :-)

Happily, I find that I really enjoy wrapping them. I like the satisfaction that comes from sending other people books they want.

Cozi ~ I didn't know the poly bags can get holes in them :(  That's what I've been using lately, after I wrap the book in bubble wrap.  Maybe I'd better not buy those anymore.

I use brown postal wrap.  I did buy some of the poly mailers for an awesome price on Bonanzle and those are quite easy to use.  Nice for when I'm in a hurry.

I agree with Cat.  I have found that wrapping the books is half the fun!  I bought bubble mailers for the first few that I sent out, but now I'm having fun looking around the house to see what I can "re-purpose" into book wrapping.

My grocery store has nice thick grocery bags.  I slip my book into a plastic bag my newspaper comes in, then use the PBS wrapper for smaller books, grocery bags for larger books, and tape all edges, seams and corners.

J, I am giggling about your shower curtain idea!  It is so clever, but I can't help but picture random "windows" you can peek out of, during your shower, increasing in number as the month wears on :-)))

I use scrapbook paper I have a ton of it, and I'm not scrapbooking anyone. I love wrapping books as long as my toddler cooperates its very relaxing for me

I've been using calendars I got from Goodwill for .33 cents.  It's heavy paper and I use lots of tape.  I also use all the bubble envelopes I receive books in.  Scrapbooking papers and shower curtains are a good idea! 

Im a bit worried about the wallpaper idea...what happens if it gets wet?  Im picturing a glob of gummy glue, unless of course, its the unpasted kind, in that case it would be a wonderful idea!  And I have a question, has anyone received any books wrapped (on the inside) with a bread wrapper, I have thought of using these but wonder if they leave the books smelling like yeast? or bread?

I'm using the poly bags with a plastic inner wrapping as well.  No one has told me that they arrived with tears in them yet.  They're certainly easy to use and don't take much time.  They are also easy to wrap closely around the book.  I do tape them so there is nothing to catch on machinery.  I don't think that the way I wrap them leaves them open to be used again which bothers me.  

Cozi, did the ones you got with tears have extra parts of the envelope left loose?  This really is bothering me, now.  I do what Cheryl said and recycle everything that's possible from books (and packages) sent to me.  My DH hates it because he considers it "clutter".

Ruth

Bread wrappers are not a good idea.. lots of people have wheat allergies or celiac disease and it could make them sick.

Recycle wherever possible, and insert the 2nd sheet inside the plastic underwrap with the book for use as emergency address..JIC :-)  I've reused bubble mailers on their 4th or 5th book delivery!

Haven't seen any damaged tyvek envelopes.  IME the most frequent damage is to loose fitting/oversize manilla envelopes (not bubble).  Not a fan of gift wrap b/c it's often brittle.

I've received books in Marcia's calendar wrap, they are sturdy and attractive.

I often get boxes of supplies at work and it is stuffed with this heavy brown paper. I flatten out all the big sheets and take them home to wrap books. I wish our newspapers were big enough to put a book in the bag, but alas, it would have to be elf size books. Our papers are tiny and not even a mm paperback will fit in the little plastic bags.

I have received many books wrapped in several layers of christmas paper turned inside out so that the white side is out. It is usually mummified with tape and very easy to open on the end where it is folded just like a package.

I have never received any books wrapped with flair. :)   Nor have I sent any with pizazz.  Just some good ole bubble wrap and brown mailing paper with tape, tape, tape.

Recently,  I got what I think is a poly bag - a greyish, plastic-y thing.  I thought it was neat as it serves as the wrapping and protection.   No tape was used to secure the books.  But, it was a tight fit.  I had to slice, dice and stretch to get the books out of there.   But, I tend to get excited about packages and dive right in with no method.   Whenever I do this, it reminds me of a Barbie doll I received on Christmas when I was a child.  I was so excited, I ripped her out of the package so quickly, I snapped her neck.   After that she was known as Charo.  Goochie-Goochie-Goochie.  I made do.   A zillion years later, I still haven't learned to take my time. :)

Edited for spelling.

So many great ideas!  I LOVE to use stickers, too, that go with the season.  So far, I've only used smiley faces, but am looking forward to diversifying as seasons change.  The calendar pages would be great, too, they are usually heavy paper and very attractive...but mine have lots of writing on them, like birthdays, appointments, etc. so I would have to use new ones!   Like Cheryl, I save anything and everything that comes my way to reuse in sending books, especially any plastic "sleeves" that mail comes in.  They are smooth and durable.  I'm not sure what a poly bag is, either, but it doesn't matter because I'll probably keep using something fun.  Love the idea of the shower curtain!!!   So many great ideas - so few books to mail out.  Please, please visit my bookshelf and challenge my creativity by ordering something from me!   LOL    ;)    D.

PS.  Somebody please tell me what OP stands for = Old People???   :-\ 

OP = Original poster - refering to the person starting the thread. I use plain ziplocs on the inside and plain manila envelopes mummified with packing tape...so I'm boring. But as I've started getting more mailings to me, I've reused every non-pbs-packaging that's sent me.