How To Label Your Belongings

No one wants to lose possession of their belongings, or have them fall into the wrong hands, no matter the item or the cost.  Maybe you're traveling, and need to keep track of your luggage or carry-on bags.  Perhaps you're having a party, and want to label your take-away dishes, so people know to return them when they're done.  Are you sending your kids to school with something that needs to come back home with them?  Whatever the situation, it's always a good idea to label your belongings.

How you label them, however, depends on the type of item that needs to be identified.  Obviously, you wouldn't want to use the same permanent marker for a lunchbox as well as for fine crystal, so first you need to determine what types of items need to be labeled.  If the surface of the item being labeled is one that can be washed, or you don't care about having something stuck to it, a label maker is a great investment.  These handy tools create peel-and-stick labels in a variety of fonts, so you'll be able to generate as many or as few as you want.  Plastic dishes and lunchboxes, folders and books, and a variety of other plastic or paper goods benefit from sticky labels.  However, if it's an item that might get wet or needs to be washed, the sticky label will peel off after awhile.

If that's the case, or if you have an item that needs more permanent labeling, try using a permanent marker.  These markers can be found everywhere from supermarkets to mass superstores to craft stores, and are relatively cheap.  They can be used to label everything from backpacks and school supplies, books and other art supplies to kitchenware, toys and blocks, and everything in between.  Make sure the item is clearly labeled, however, to avoid later confusion.  And unlike peel-and-stick labels, the permanent marker will not wash off if wet.  Clothing can also be labeled with a permanent marker, but you might want to try a clothing marker instead, to avoid irritation.

Luggage and other traveling bags should be labeled in a more visible way, however.  Even if your luggage is a completely unique piece, you need to have your information on it in case it's lost and you need to dispute this with the people transporting your luggage, or in case of theft.  Luggage tags can be purchased at any place that sells suitcases and other travel items, and can range from the fairly cheap to the more expensive.  Make sure your tag is secured tightly to the handle of your luggage, and it should really be enclosed in a plastic case.  Your name should be marked, as well as any other contact information in case of theft or loss.