I know we have some military wives here, so thought I'd ask whether or not any of you know if you can send a letter to someone with an APO address in a decorated envelope? Is there a standard envelope they recommend or can I send a letter in an envelope that has a print on the outside... like Christmas images? Does it matter? Is this a silly question? 
I know I should just ask the Post Office, but I'm having a hard time getting a clear answer. I don't think the operator at USPS really understood what I was asking when I called. Shouldn't be that hard.
you shouldnt have any problems sending decorated envelopes. i live overseas and have a military APO address and i get stuff like that often. the only real difference comes when you are shipping packages and you have to add the customs slip/form stating the contents of the package.
if you are sending it to a deployed soldier i dont think there would be an issue either. i sent my husband stuff with kid drawing all over the envelope and hearts, etc and he got it all just fine. hope that helps!
You can mail it whatever you want! When my hubby was in Iraq last year, I was mailing letters every other day and would diversify so he wouldn't get bored! LOL
He was happy to pick up the mail himself for some of them! LOL
When our friend was over in Iraq I shipped him some brownies and the post office lady told me that when food is involved to put anyone else down as an alternate person, that way the food doesn't go to waste if the person the shipment is intended for is no longer there to receive the mail.
Which I totally understand, because if the food came back to me it definetely wouldn't be edible anymore.
The trick to shipping brownies is to ship them with white bread so that they absorb the moisture from the white bread.
But of course if it is something like a compute part or something non-edible, well I would definetely want my package back. 
Thanks for all the great information!
I'm actually looking into starting an ecommerce site and want to offer gifts, letters, packages to our men and women serving overseas. I tried to get the most basic of info from someone on the phone who works for USPS, but you've all done a much better job! Thanks again!
I wonder what types of things are forbidden from being sent overseas? Can you send Bibles? I wonder for those who've served, are serving, or have family serving do you know if the Gideons get Bibles to everyone that wants them in let's say Iraq? Or would there be men and women serving that might like or need a copy?
Here's the USPS link about restrictions for mail to Iraq.
http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/mailingrestrictions.htm
As far as bibles go, you can send a bible or two, just not in bulk quantities.
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