PO Box for RSVPs?

I had a PO box in college. I had a small size and quite a few letters fit and even my magazines. You can go and look at the box sizes at the office you want to use. I think using a box is smart and still gives you the fun and going to grab the RSVPs!

Thanks, guys! @Katie, did they give you the key to it the same day you went in?

We rented a PO box for our RSVPs from a local UPS store! We rented the box for about 3 months, and like Katie said - had to provide 2 forms of ID and pay a fee. We rented the smallest option they had, which was still way large enough for RSVPs. We also got 2 keys (paid extra for the 2nd key) the same day we signed up.

The DC mail system is not the greatest, and there's apparently a permanent block on any mail from NYC being sent to me! Every single time my aunt or my great uncle sends me a card it gets returned, and they always have my correct address. Seriously - my aunt now sends my holiday cards straight to the WW office because it's the only way she knows I'll definitely receive it! This was why we decided to rent a PO box - we didn't want to run the risk of all that important mail being returned

I used a PO Box when I rented a room in another person's house. It was great to ensure some privacy. I think I remember getting the key the same day I signed up. Basically as long as they have a box available, you can get it right away.

I've had a PO Box my whole life. We had one of the smaller boxes and only paid $10/month. Cost depends on your area.

Ours had a lock combination. You should get the combo/key the day you purchase the box.

If you're just using the address for RSVPs, I would get the average size box. Even if it gets overfilled, they will put a slip in saying you have mail that won't fit and you can pick it up from the front desk during business hours.

PO Box might be a good idea for receiving wedding gifts, too -- if the store will ship packages to a PO Box. If a package is too large to fit in the PO Box, the PO will hold it for you.

@wwlynne what is the benefit of having a PO box vs just having it delivered to your address?

I have two PO Boxes right now.

I will 110% suggest getting a box.

It's safe, secure, cheap (ours are like $25/6 months for the smallest option) and if you run out of room in your box, they store it, they don't send it back.

I also get text notifications whenever I get mail in my box.

My favorite thing is that if i have a package that doesn't fit in my box, they put it in a secured locker and put the locker key in my box so I can pick up the package at my convenience.

ETA: I had to bring in two forms of ID and I got 2 keys that day. If I wanted more keys, it would have been extra. You can also have multiple names on the box.

For example, one of my boxes has my name, FH's name, his two daughters & my dad on it (in case he needs to pick something up for me)

ETA:oh yea, and the USPS is starting to allow you to send mail to the post office's physical address and then add your box number as a unit number. This has saved my butt so many times when I order from somewhere that will only ship to a physical address.

@Svetlana - only because the DC postal system hates my address! I don't get it - bills and catalogs find me easily enough, but over half of our "real mail" gets returned for an "invalid address" every single time! I didn't have this issue with a PO Box. Maybe it has something to do with the unusual formatting of my apartment number?