I do lots of cards with "stuff" attached so I will tell you what I've learned from one of the local postal employees. Any card that won't easily (no pushing!) drop through a 1/4 inch slot required extra postage. Also, any add-ons that may get caught (eyelets are ok, brads tend to stick up more, twigs are a sure "catcher") in a machine are to be mailed in a manila envelope. I asked "why manila?", and he said that it's tougher and doesn't tear as easily. Therefore, I have started putting the card in a normal envelope and then slipping that into a small 5X7 manila clasp envelope that I get in packs of 10 at the dollar store. It is OK to ask to have an item hand canceled, but that only works if it is a local delivery. If it goes out of your local area, it will get tossed in with all the other stuff that goes through the machines. So my advice would be, if it's a special card for a special occasion, go the extra mile and put it in a small padded envelope or a manila envelope with an extra sheet of cardboard inside for stability - turn the decorated sided of the card toward the cardboard protector sheet so that it has a buffer between it and the machine wheels. Happy mailing everyone!
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