Stressed to the max and sooo confused.

Hmmm, I haven't heard of anyone being sold a prepaid envelope before.  Your best bet is to contact the place that sold it to you.

A store that sells UPS packaging... They sent the visa application for me as well though UPS Express.

As KFDancer said, it's a bit odd that you were able to do it, since it's not supposed to be possible to pre-pay return international shipping, because you normally need to enter the size and weight of the package, and I think maybe also the address it is being mailed from and possibly even a mailing date... none of which you will know yet when you mail the package to Sheffield.

Normally what happens is you pay for the outbound shipping, then you include unpaid return packaging and either a UPS online waybill for the return shipping or just your UPS account number... and then your UPS account is billed for the return shipping when UKVI issue the visa and mail it back to you.

Hmmm. I'm not sure how I managed this! Hopefully if they don't use my return package envelope I can get a refund on that! Thanks again for the info- do any of you know about whether or not they work the week of Christmas? I'm wondering if approval next week is a remote possibility... I'm guessing probably not?

They will not be working Christmas (25th) and Boxing day (26th) as they are Bank Holidays. It depends on what kind of Christmas holiday they get.

When all the visas were processed in NYC, the consulate website used to list which dates they were closed over the holidays, but I did a Google search last night and I can't find anything about Christmas opening hours for Sheffield .

I just thought you might like to know that I got an email on Monday, 22nd of December letting me know a decision had been made on my visa ( of course not telling me what that decision might be...). My parcel arrived Wednesday, 24th December and it included my original documents along with my passport, visa included!

Thank you all again so much for your assistance during this process. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I could not have done it without your help. I hope you all have a great new year- mine will be spent with my husband and my three girls in England!! 

What an absolutely wonderful Christmas Gift!!! Congrats!!!

Congratulations!  How exciting for your family.  Enjoy ringing in the New Year together.